News that are not related to Tennis activity of Andre will be posted here

____________________________
:wavey: Andre Agassi forever :wavey:

Gigan

11-22-2005, 11:37 PM

do you know ? Andre is client of "Net Jets" ;)
i thought he has own airplanes?
NetJets Pilots Approve Agreement

By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS, Associated Press Writer
33 minutes ago

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Pilots with NetJets Inc., a private air charter service that caters to companies and business executives, have approved an agreement that ends a four-year-old labor dispute.

NetJets Inc. and the pilots' union said Tuesday in a joint release that 84 percent of pilots voted in favor of the contract, which was tentatively agreed upon last month. The union has about 2,000 members.

The five-year contract approved Monday allows for more pilot participation in training and safety issues, and requires that NetJets pilots be hired to fly jets in what's expected to be a growing business involving so-called "very light jets," or smaller aircraft than the type the company currently uses.

Company president Bill Boisture wouldn't release salary details but said the agreement puts pilots ahead of competitors for total compensation.

NetJets, with flight operations in Columbus and executive offices in Woodbridge, N.J., provides private air service for companies and individuals. Customers buy fractional shares of an aircraft in exchange for access to flight service.

Last month, union president Bill Olsen said NetJets pilots were making from $50,000 to $72,000 a year, while those flying similar planes for competing companies made up to $105,000 a year.

Olsen said the proposed contract would "bridge the gap" by immediately raising pay 40 percent to 60 percent based on years of service and equipment operated.

___

On the Net:

NetJets: http://www.netjets.com

Teamsters' Local 1108: http://www.ibt1108.org/index.html

____________________________
:wavey: Andre Agassi forever :wavey:

Gigan

11-22-2005, 11:43 PM

Do you want to know where is know Andre Agassi's coach Nick Bollettieri and what he is doing now?
Read this one:

Where to go | Hot stuff in cool places
CAYMAN ISLANDS

SWEET DREAMS

Looking for fancy accommodations in the Caymans?

The $500-million, 365-room Ritz-Carlton is set to open its gleaming doors Dec. 15. Spanning 144 acres from Seven Mile Beach to the North Sound, the hotel is a name-dropper's heaven: a Greg Norman nine-holer, Blue Tip; a 20,000 square-foot, 17-room spa with La Prairie products; a Jean-Michel Cousteau children's aquatic program; tennis by Agassi's coach Nick Bollettieri, and two restaurants by Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin, one of New York's top restaurants. Whew.

BOSTON The turkey is ready for the oven; the table is set and full of possibilities; the family has gathered from different time zones, and it is difficult, even for a scandal-weary sportswriter, to avoid feeling good about human nature.
/////////////////////////////

Meanwhile, men like Andre Agassi, Lance Armstrong, David Beckham, Tiger Woods and Zinédine Zidane continued their longstanding charity work, with Agassi sometimes giving the impression that, at 35, he was playing tennis beyond the usual retirement age in large part because he wanted to use his continuing success to help the foundation and the academy that educates at-risk youth in his name in his native Las Vegas.

Agassi's foundation, which now routinely donates $10 million or more per year to children's causes, has been the most productive of any linked to an active athlete. One of the reasons he said he left his long-term sponsor Nike and signed a contract with its competitor Adidas was because Adidas was more willing to commit considerable resources to the foundation.

"Nike and I reached terms on all my stuff with no problem," Agassi said in August. "It's been a relationship for a lot of years that has been good. But, you know, I'm at a great place in my life. I

Worthy not just of time and disposable income, but of admiration.

don't have to worry about me anymore. That's a luxury that most people don't have that I'm well aware of. But I do have to worry about my foundation, I do have to worry about people I look out after."

"And you know, they make shoes and that's what they do," he said of Nike.

Tennis superstar Andre Agassi's resounding legal victory over the taxman has ended on a sour note when three appeal judges refused to award him costs against the Revenue.

Normally, the losing party in a civil action pays the other side's costs.

Not so in Agassi's case - because the tax experts he employed to instruct his barrister were not solicitors or authorised litigators.

A year ago, in a judgment which could cost the Revenue half a billion pounds, the Court of Appeal allowed Agassi's
Advertisement

challenge to a High Court ruling that foreign showbiz and sports stars on tour in Britain are liable for UK income tax on money earned from overseas product endorsement deals - even if the cash never sees the light of day in this country.

The court ruled that Agassi was not liable to UK tax on income paid by sportswear makers Nike and Head Sports to his US-based company, Agassi Enterprises Inc, because none of them was resident or had a "tax presence" in Britain.

But the Revenue - which is to challenge the ruling in the House of Lords - refused to pay his costs.

Agassi brought his case using the Licensed Access Scheme (LAS) designed to provide more cost-effective legal cover for small and individual litigants.

He employed tax law experts Tenon Media, who had acted for him for many years. Tenon's Christopher Mills, a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIT), instructed counsel, as he was allowed to do.

Tenon's total costs bill for the High Court and Court of Appeal was less than £20,000. The appeal judges heard that solicitors, who might have far less expertise in the tax field, could well have charged three times as much.

Lords Justices Brooke, Dyson and Carnwath said that Agassi might be able to recover some of his expenses as disbursements for ancillary assistance provided by Tenon. But, in law, he was not entitled to claim against the Revenue for the cost of work which would normally be done by a solicitor.

Gigan

12-13-2005, 10:39 AM

Season Review: 2005 By The Numbers
Some interesting statistics, guys:

Andre again has nr 1 ;)
Here you can download comprehensive*2005 By The Numbers review (in PDF format)

NEW YORK, Dec. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf, through their company Agassi Graf Development LLC and Miami-based Bayview Financial
L.P., through its Real Estate Investment and Development Group, today
announced details of their luxury mountain hotel development at Tamarack
Resort, located in Donnelly, Idaho -- the nation's newest all-season resort.
Subject to certain terms and conditions being finalized, Fairmont Hotels &
Resorts will manage the luxury hotel and residences, featuring two locations:
a classic resort hotel located in Tamarack's village and a mid-mountain site.
This development will be the pinnacle hotel offering at the resort.
In addition to being financial investors in the project, Agassi and Graf
will be active in the development, design and overall lifestyle offering,
working closely with joint venture partners Bayview Financial, design team
Wilson & Associates and architecture firm VAg. Inc. The couple chose Tamarack
for their first lifestyle development because of its stunning natural
surroundings, ideal not just for skiing but for the unparalleled active
outdoor lifestyle it offers.
"Tamarack is the perfect location for anyone interested in taking a little
time out of their lives to get away or spend quality time with their family,"
said Agassi. "Our vision is to create an exceptional lifestyle offering that
complements the natural beauty and uniqueness of the resort. It's about
bringing the highest standard of quality and luxury to the whole experience."
The resort's village location, "Belvedere Ridge," will feature
approximately 225 condo-tel units, with scenic views of Tamarack's mountain,
championship golf course and Lake Cascade. Belvedere Ridge will also have a
private residence club including a European-style spa. "Whitewater" -- the
resort's mid-mountain location -- will feature an estimated 35 private
residences, all offering ski-in/ski-out access. Whitewater will offer a
personal concierge, a semi-private restaurant and an outdoor deck with
stunning mountain and lake views. Both properties are scheduled to break
ground during the summer of 2006 with completion anticipated in 2008, in
conjunction with the completion of Tamarack's village.
"We are delighted to be the selected manager for this first-class
development," said William R. Fatt, Fairmont's Chief Executive Officer. "We
have been looking for a U.S. resort destination with significant ski and golf
amenities to complement our current portfolio, and this development is the
perfect opportunity. The residential offerings will allow Fairmont to extend
its luxury brand to both guests and secondary home owners."
In addition to offering spectacular views, the resort will boast amenities
typical of Fairmont's luxury standards. Robbie Oppenheim, Managing Director
of Bayview Financial L.P.'s Real Estate Investment and Development Group,
commented: "The selection of Fairmont was made after an extensive search for a
partner that not only had expertise in operating complex, all-season mountain
properties but truly understood our vision for this project. As real estate
developers, we are thrilled having Fairmont as a partner and look forward to
working together to develop this special project."
To design the project, Agassi/Graf and Bayview Financial selected
internationally renowned architecture firm Wilson & Associates, whose varied
and global projects include The Palace of the Lost City in South Africa; Las
Ventanas al Paraiso in Cabo San Lucas; Atlantis Resort at Paradise Island,
Bahamas and many well-known properties in Las Vegas such as The Venetian and
The Mansions at MGM. Also collaborating on the project is Colorado-based
architecture firm VAg, Inc., which specializes in residential resort
architecture and prides itself on environmental awareness, a critical aspect
to the long-term vision at Tamarack and a shared focus for both architecture
firms. Wilson & Associates' work at Tamarack will incorporate natural
materials and the use of local artisans.
The development will begin taking reservations in early 2006 with sales
expected in late Summer, 2006. The telephone number for sales is 877-377-
6996.

About Agassi Graf Development LLC
Agassi Graf Development LLC is a real-estate development company focused
on the creation of luxury, resort and lifestyle-oriented offerings in
partnership with the industry's leading developers and brands. The company
specializes in developing the design and overall lifestyle component of real-
estate offerings under the direction and vision of Andre Agassi and Stefanie
Graf.

complete story
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/12-20-2005/0004237219&EDATE=

ANDRE AGASSI & STEFFI GRAF in 4 page "Love Story - once the alpha male and female of the tennis circuit,Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf were virtual strangers until one day in Paris...." story with 5 photos, 1 is full page.

The Match of the Year in men's tennis unquestionably was Andre Agassi coming from two sets down and finally closing out James Blake at 11 minutes after 1 o'clock in the morning in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open.

Uh, not to the degree Agassi likely suspected. In many sections of the country, the USA Network had pulled the plug on its telecast of the match in the middle of the third game of the fifth set. "Heidi," all over again.

So it went for tennis in 2005. It is a back and forth game and there was as much back as there was forth, particularly for Americans. The positive development was that a study commissioned by the U.S. Tennis Association and the Tennis Industry Association established that more Americans are playing the game – 24.7 million, the most since 1992.

But at tennis' top level, they aren't playing it all that well.

The only Americans who won Grand Slam championships were the Williams sisters, with Serena, 24, capturing the Australian Open and Venus, 25, prevailing at Wimbledon with a stirring three-set triumph over Lindsay Davenport.

At Melbourne, in the semifinals Serena was involved in the women's Match of the Year, when under a fiery sun she dismissed three match points against her and handled Maria Sharapova 2-6, 7-5, 8-6.

The sisters are unusual players. They aren't playing that much. Serena played only 28 matches all year, going 21-7, and the Australian Open was the only tournament she won. Venus was slightly more active, with a 37-10 singles record. Both the sisters regressed in the WTA Tour's rankings, Serena dropping from No. 7 at the close of 2004 to No. 11, her first time outside the top 10 since 1998. Venus fell from No. 9 to No. 10.

One can wonder if the Williamses have interests they prefer to tennis. They seem to withdraw from as many events as they complete. But let them be fully motivated, as they are for Grand Slam events, and they are players apart.

My women's Player of the Year is Davenport. Grand Slam championships eluded her, but she was a finalist in Australia and at Wimbledon and retained her No. 1 ranking. The Southern California woman is Billie Jean King's heir as the leading spokesperson for her sport. She recognizes its ills – that the season is too long – and on the court champions her game with her play and her conduct.

The men's Player of the Year, of course, is Roger Federer, the Swiss with the fighter's face and the silken strokes. "There is only one top player," declared Ted Schroeder, the onetime U.S. Davis Cup luminary whose judgments often are caustic but always thoughtful. "Everybody else is unidimensional. The only thing they know how to do is stand six feet behind the baseline and hit everything as hard as they can."

Federer is adaptable, able to fit his game to any surface. With his victories at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, he now has won five of the last eight Grand Slams and six in all. Before losing his final match of the year – to David Nalbandian of Argentina in the final of the Tennis Masters Cup at Shanghai, Federer had swept 35 consecutive matches.

He lost only four times during his season. Two of his defeats were in the semifinals of the Australian Open and the French Open to the eventual winners of those events, Marat Safin and Rafael Nadal. When Federer surrendered to Nalbandian at Shanghai, he was getting around on a tender foot.

Federer's appeal, however, is not universal. He has not been as warmly received in this country as his accomplishments suggest he should be. He is the consummate technician, but American audiences seem to prefer tennis champions who are more earthy. Think of Jimmy Connors.

Meantime, if the U.S. is developing players who one day could replace such veterans as Davenport and Agassi, it is not reflected in the WTA and ATP Tour rankings. Four Americans finished in the top 20 on the women's tour in 2004; now there are three, Jennifer Capriati, No. 10 a year ago, having been eliminated because of injuries. On the men's side, the U.S. had four players in the top 20 in 2004; it currently has just three, Andy Roddick (No. 3), Agassi (No. 7) and Robby Ginepri (No. 16).

Roddick did not have a rewarding year. Neither did a number of others, including Sharapova, who may not possess the queenly qualities that were seen in her when she won Wimbledon in 2004 at the age of 17. She isn't always showing up when she is scheduled to do so – she already has withdrawn from next year's first event at Gold Coast – and in her public audiences she can be a bit snippy, I would say.

There are some interesting new figures, including Nadal, a powerhouse on clay, and such young women as Sania Mirza of India and Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic. Ready, 2006. Play.

Agassi Fan

12-28-2005, 08:34 AM

I hope he will play in Australia. I really like this GS.

Go Andre!

Gigan

01-10-2006, 11:39 AM

http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/3/agassis.jpg

The Agassi Graf Hotel

Where: Donelly, ID, United States

Thu Jan 10, 2006 at 09:06:47 AM EST

Back in August we told you tennis's über couple was planning to open an Idaho resort and it looks like the resort is a go.

Located in Donnelly, Idaho the Tamarack Resort will be managed by Fairmont Hotels. Agassi on the resort:

Tamarack is the perfect location for anyone interested in taking a little
time out of their lives to get away or spend quality time with their family. Our vision is to create an exceptional lifestyle offering that complements the natural beauty and uniqueness of the resort. It's about
bringing the highest standard of quality and luxury to the whole experience.

The resort will have two locations, mid-mountain Whitewater, which is currently accepting reservations, and the village location, Belvedere Ridge.

Sarge Sargsian just got a wildcard for the Delray tournament ( :wavey: ) so maybe he's not retired after all!

I will support three players again!
:) :) :)

Gigan

01-10-2006, 08:26 PM

Best news 4 me, fans!!!

Sarge Sargsian just got a wildcard for the Delray tournament ( :wavey: ) so maybe he's not retired after all!

I will support three players again!
:) :) :)

Dream-Team:

Andre Agassi (captain)
David Nalbandian
Sarge Sargsian

karenpoon

01-11-2006, 05:36 AM

Maybe Sarge is playing doubles with Andre.

Gigan

01-11-2006, 08:50 AM

Maybe Sarge is playing doubles with Andre.

May be, Karenpoon!
I don't think that Sarge will go for something more...
There is an Article there:

Gigan

01-11-2006, 08:51 AM

Agassi to Play in Delray Beach

http://www.atptennis.com/delraybeach/images/150X200/agassi1.jpg

The Delray Beach International Tennis Championships snagged the biggest prize in its 14-year history today when Andre Agassi requested a wild card to play in the ATP tournament, which will be held in the Delray Beach Tennis Center & Stadium January 30-February 5.

Agassi, the winner of eight Grand Slam titles and 60 ATP tournaments, will open his 2006 season— his 21st season in pro tennis—in Delray Beach.

“We’re ecstatic that Andre is coming to Delray Beach,” said tournament director Mark Baron. “This is the first time in the last 14 years that circumstances have allowed him to play in this event. It’s a great opportunity for South Florida fans to enjoy the incredible level at which he plays in a stadium as intimate as ours. He’s such a wonderful personality.”

Agassi finished the 2005 season ranked No. 7 in the world. It was the 16th time in his career that he finished in the Top 10, tying him with Jimmy Connors for the top spot on that all-time list. America watched and cheered as the 35-year-old tennis icon made a spectacular run to the finals of the U.S. Open last fall with consecutive five-set wins over Xavier Malisse, James Blake and Robby Ginepri.

Agassi joins what arguably is already the best draw in Delray Beach ITC history, one that features Ginepri, Blake, seven-time ATP winner Tommy Haas and Olympic silver medalist Mardy Fish. Also entered are 2005 Delray Beach ITC champion Malisse and runner-up Jiri Novak as well as Boca Raton’s Vince Spadea, who finished No. 19 in the world in 2004. Ginepri and Blake finished the 2005 season No. 16 and No. 24, respectively, after their strong U.S. Open performances.

The Delray Beach ITC is the first of 15 ATP tournaments that will be held in the United States in 2006. Box seats, reserved series seats and individual session tickets to see Agassi and his fellow pros are on sale through YellowTennisBall.com (the official tournament website) or through the Delray Beach ITC Ticket Office (561-330-6000). Single session grandstand tickets range from $10 to $20 while box seats are $50 to $75.

Championship packages that include preferred seating for all 11 sessions are $220 while the Weekender package (quarterfinals through finals) is $150. Box seat packages begin at $930 for two seats and range up to $2,000 for four premium courtside seats. Box seats include premier parking and an array of amenities.

czech1rep

01-11-2006, 09:09 PM

Hi, it isn´t a new article but I didn´t know where else to post it. It´s quite interesting, maybe you have read it before.. ;)

The man to watch

By Mats Wilander
January 25, 2004

http://img2.menstennisforums.com/500/25s_aagassi2_0.jpg

Andre Agassi serves during his Open match against Thomas Enqvist.
Picture: AFP

The first time I played against Andre Agassi was in 1986 in La Quinta in California. I was seeded No. 1 for the tournament, and here I was, up against this skinny kid from Vegas. I'd say he hadn't even turned 16.

I'd never seen him before, and I had no idea about him, other than having heard people say that he was really good, a genuine prospect.

We went onto the court and in the warm-up, after the first four or five shots, I'm thinking, "Oh my God, this guy can really hit the ball." He was just hitting the ball so clean, like nobody else, even at that age.

Yes, he was hitting them, but he was hitting them out of play by a metre or more.

We started the match and he kept hitting the ball the same way. He just kept hitting the middle of the racquet, but it was going way long, going everywhere. I'm thinking, "What the hell's he doing now?"

Afterwards, in what became a famous press conference, I was asked: "So, what do think of Agassi?"

"What do I think of Agassi?" I said. "You REALLY want to know what I think of Agassi? I think he doesn't know how to play the game. He understands how to hit a lot of shots, but he doesn't understand how to win points or construct points."

Only two years later, I'm playing Andre Agassi in the semi-final of the French Open.

Before long, I was clearly in a kind of shock. He was just standing in one place and pounding the ball all over the court, running me all over the place.

To me, there were so many times when I believed I was out of the match. I thought, there's nothing I can do any more. I was trying to run everything down, but I just wasn't fast enough.

Even so, I could feel that Agassi didn't know how to capitalise on what he was doing to me. If I could just get this shot over here or this shot over there, then I knew I had him, and I beat him.

Andre was only 18 back then, and his tennis was still very immature. But even at Wimbledon four years later, I believe he won his first major without really knowing how to construct points, either.

But Agassi knows how to construct points now. He has acquired a mental strength that means he knows his game better than any other player, and he knows precisely what he needs to do to win. He has honed his tennis brain.

This, I believe, has come relatively late in his career, but I think it's why he's able to be so fresh so late in career. Because it's new to him.

He's found something else, to the point that he's probably improving as he gets older. He's certainly not getting any worse. The game is better now than it was 10 years ago, and he's still winning majors, so he has to have improved.

Yet again, Agassi leaves the court a winner.
Picture: Paul Harris

I believe Agassi, like Bjorn Borg and Boris Becker before him, has changed the way the game is played in his time. Borg was the first player to hit with such huge top spin, and Becker brought incredibly hard hitting to the game.

Everybody was trying to play like Borg and they started keeping up with him, and likewise with Becker.

Similarly, many players have tried to play the way Agassi does. The significant difference is that he has honed his game to such a degree that they can't keep up with him simply by trying to play him at his own game. It's like he's actually lured them into a trap.

I wouldn't say he's set it up that way for himself, but that's how it's worked out.

And that's why I believe that every other player should be there watching and learning when Andre Agassi is on the court.

I'm looking at him. As a coach, I've learned more from watching Agassi than from watching anyone else.

They don't need to look at the way he hits the ball - that's an individual thing - but they need to look at where he hits the ball.

Players simply are not doing that, and in the process they are robbing themselves of a wonderful learning opportunity.

Nobody constructs a point better Agassi, even though it doesn't look like he's constructing the point. Mostly, it looks like he's just hitting, and I think a lot of players think that's all he's doing.

But he's not just hitting. He's hitting with particular reasons. He'll hit four hard ones, then he will just put a little extra top spin on and that produces the short ball and that's when he can hit his winner.

What he also does that they can't see is that he minimises his errors. He's just not making the errors that they're making but he's hitting as many winners. He has 20 errors and 40 winners and the other guy has 40 errors and 40 winners.

If you can't hit twice as many winners as unforced errors, you are going for too much. This is where I believe the men's game is in a little danger. Too many players are going for too many big shots without being able to back it up.

Agassi has played so many matches over 17 years that he figured it out at last, and now he is reaping the benefits. That's why I think it's so important that players try to figure it out earlier. It's not a natural thing. Mental strength can be learned, and Agassi has worked hard.

That's not to say he has no special talent.

His great talent, I believe, is possessed by his eyes. He must have the fastest eyes in the world to be able to return serve the way he does.

I don't know how he does it, because he doesn't actually take a step sideways either. He takes two steps forward, cuts the angles like a good soccer goalkeeper. Anyone can cut the angles, but then when you have that much less time, how are you able to hit the ball?

On certain surfaces, he's made it more advantageous returning than serving. He hits winners off a serve, and that was considered dumb in my time.

I think he's the reason why the guys are not serving and volleying any more. With guys serving faster you would think they would serve and volley more than they do, but they can't because it's coming back at them faster again. Players are using the speed of the serve in their returns, and that's what they've learnt from Agassi.

They can also learn from the great way he controls and shifts the momentum of a match.

He knows that as one of the world's best players, his opponents are already intimidated before the start. What he's figured out is that while he's got them a little psyched out, he's going to jump on them early and they're going to be totally psyched out.

If he's up 2-0 in the first set, he's basically up 4-0. If he wins the first set, he has basically won the first two sets, because it's a steeper hill to climb back up against him than anybody else.

That's not the case for the better players, because they know they can get back in the match. But in tennis, you don't play to the score, you play to the momentum. Like many things in the game, Agassi does that better than anyone.

Gigan

01-13-2006, 11:08 PM

MiamiHerald

Posted on Fri, Jan. 13, 2006
Agassi builds a future

Andre Agassi isn't ready to retire yet, but the almost-36-year-old tennis legend is making sure he will have a perfect getaway when that time comes.

Agassi and wife, Steffi Graf, in conjunction with Miami-based Bayview Financial LP, are building a luxury mountain hotel at the Tamarack Resort near Donnelly, Idaho. Tennis' first couple is not only helping finance the project, but is also involved in designing the resort's facilities.

''We purchased a home near there, and I was blown away by the area,'' said Agassi, who will open his 2006 season at the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships Jan. 30-Feb. 5. ``We've been to all the best places in the world, and this place is the perfect family destination. It has skiing, hiking, biking, a great lake with beaches and water-skiing in the summer and ice fishing and hockey in the winter.''

In the meantime, Agassi said he is looking forward to playing in South Florida later this month and again in March at the NASDAQ-100 Open on Key Biscayne, where he has won six titles. He decided to play Delray when an ankle injury kept him from traveling to the Australian Open, which opens Monday.

''It's the perfect way for me to start the season, seeing as how I couldn't be in Australia,'' he said. ``I always enjoy the conditions in South Florida, the heat, humidity, and breeze.

``My record in the NASDAQ reflects my level of comfort in those elements. My wife lived there for many years [in Boca Raton], her mother and brother, too, so we know a lot of people there and look forward to the trip.''

Andre Agassi and James Blake battling it out until the wee hours of morning in the U.S. Open quarters was classic tennis theater.
Getty Images

Outspoken ATP tennis pro Justin Gimelstob is a frequent contributor to SI.com. Click here to read all of his columns.
.................................................. ..........................................
6. Shanghai Masters Cup final, David Nalbandian upsets Federer
This roller-coaster match twisted and turned all the way to the final point. Federer was in complete control after winning the dramatic second-set tiebreaker 13-11. But while his month off to treat an ankle injury didn't adversely affect his standard of play, it definitely slowed down his fitness and stamina. Nalbandian dominated play in the third and fourth sets against an obviously hampered Federer and surged to a seemingly insurmountable lead in the fifth and final set. But as the world's No. 1 served for the match, the momentum switched one final time, and Nalbandian eventually closed it out in the fifth-set tiebreaker.

1. U.S. Open quarterfinals, Agassi vs. James Blake
Great tennis and even greater drama on the biggest stage in the American game. Two of the best ambassadors in the sport played their hearts out under the lights for a spot in the semifinals, all decided by a tense fifth-set tiebreaker that Agassi finally won. The two-time U.S. Open champion summed it up accurately when he stated, "I wasn't the winner, tennis was."

1986
THE PHENOM
http://www.insidetennis.com/it_img/0905_20seasons_fh.jpg
Inside Tennis calls the newly minted frosted flake from Nick Bollettieri’s factory “a punishing punk with a fabulous forehand. “ Never mind any past probs with alcohol and marijuana, John McEnroe contends, “No one has ever hit that hard against me. The way he clocks his forehand — phenomenal.” So we put the 16-year-old on our Top Four list of hot young prospects (along with the long-gone Mikael Pernfors, Andrei Chesnokov and Miloslav Mecir.) But the kid’s U.S. Open “journey of a thousand miles” begins with a single misstep, as he crashes out in four sets in the first round amid the Open’s outer- court distractions to Britain’s less-than-imposing Jeremy Bates.

1987
‘A HAIRCUT AND A FOREHAND’
http://www.insidetennis.com/it_img/0905_20seasons_spell.jpg
He’s both America’s young (“save us from another all-Czech U.S. Open final”) hopeful and the tour’s dazzling darling. But while Andre proudly sports a year-end ranking of No. 2, he is confronting public scorn, private demons and erratic play. Lendl claimed he was “just a haircut and a forehand,” and after a wretched midsummer loss, Andre threw away his rackets and told his people that he was never going to play again. Whatever! Unfortunately, what the “hair apparent” did do was again lose in four sets in the first round of the Open to yet another European, Henri Leconte. Ouch!

1988
THE DAWNING OF THE AGE OF DENIM
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Sure, a skinny German kid name Steffi, who would later play a bit of a role in his life, was winning the Golden Slam. But so what? Mr. Agassi was busy changing the tennis landscape as he woke ‘em up at the country club and orchestrated the dawning of the age of denim. The game would never be the same. Kids hoisted Andre posters. Parisians stormed his court. Never mind that he responded to a question on South American culture by asking, “What’s an Inca?” — the ATP was getting 2,000 letters a week for Andre. So there was ample hype when kid Agassi was to meet the exalted Jimmy Connors in the quarters. Not surprisingly, when Andre glibly predicted he would win “three, three and three,” Connors bristled and shot back, “That’s a bad mistake. ... I enjoy playing guys who could be my children. Maybe he’s one of them. I spent a lot of time in Vegas.” But Andre did almost exactly what he predicted, winning in straight sets (6-2, 7-6, 6-1) while losing precisely nine games.

1989
‘I’M GOING TO GIVE HIM SOME PAIN’
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Oh-my-god, the sky is falling. While freshly anointed French Open champ Michael Chang was celebrated as the first of the Fab 4 Americans to win a Grand Slam, the slumping Agassi won just one small tournament, as critics howled that he wasn’t mentally tough, couldn’t beat top players, was out of shape, skipped too many Grand Slams, didn’t prepare well enough and was a tin man without a heart. “In one short year,” John Feinstein claimed, “he went from being the delight of the tour to its mystery player. He had become the most blatant tank artist in the game and didn’t seem the least bit bothered.” Even after his one great victory of the year - yet another U.S. Open quarterfinal win over Connors - there was criticism. During the first five-set win of his career, an odd 6-1, 4-6, 0-6, 6-3, 6-4 triumph, two ballboys claimed they heard Andre call out to his brother, “I’m going to take him to five [sets] and give him some pain.” Later, after noting Andre’s 19 unforced errors in the third set, Mike Lupica claimed, “Agassi purposely wanted the match to go five sets to prove that he could win a five-set contest.

1990
‘IMAGE IS EVERYTHING’
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It’s just another (pink is out, chartreuse is in) season as Andre debuts his controversial “Image is Everything” campaign for Canon, launches many an F-bomb, spits toward an ump, has a nasty spat with a volunteer driver, is called a bozo by the ITF prez and accrues hefty fines for racket abuse. Andre’s future coach Darin Cahill would say, “What comes out of his mouth is of little significance,” and Newsday’s Barbara Matson imagined how Andre prepared for a match: “Hot-lime statement liner pants: check. Black acid-washed shorts: check. Black-and-white shirt with hot lime: check. Black-and-white shirt with hot lime sleeves: check. Turquoise, lime and white headband knotted in place: check. Gold earring in left ear: check.” Oh yeah, Andre did win the ATP Championships, led the U.S. to its first Davis Cup title since ‘82 and reached (but lost) both the French and U.S. Open finals. Agassi admitted that his 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 loss to Sampras at Flushing Meadows “was an old-fashioned street mugging.” And so began a trend.

1991
DOES HE EVEN CARE?
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Now the only one of America’s Fab 4 not to have won a Grand Slam, Andre suffered his third first-round loss at the Open, this time to Aaron Krickstein (who went on to famously become Connors’ fabulous foil), as Jimbo pranced his way to the semis. No wonder unsparing British writers sported T-shirts that announced, “Agassi Diddled While Connors Sizzled”. Sports Illustrated was even harsher, playing up the differences between the two: “Old versus young. Substance versus style. Never were the contrasts between how much Connors means to the game and how little Agassi cares about it so obvious.” But that wasn’t really it. A taller and stronger Andre, who had just gained 26 pounds, had suffered his third straight Grand Slam final loss at the French Open, this one to Courier, his former pal from the Bollettieri stable. The dramatic defeat was so devastating that Andre was again considering quitting, and, despite reaching the Wimbledon quarters, was still reeling by the time of the Open. Still, fans wondered when Mr. Pizzazz was going to walk the walk.

1992
‘THAT WAS ZEN, THIS IS NOW’
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Skeptical Andre-watchers didn’t have to wait long. At Wimbledon, Andre fell to his knees in ecstatic disbelief as he won the crown. With a Grand Slam title on his mantle, the U.S. Open proved to be more about Barbra and Buddhism. Not surprisingly, when IT asked Streisand — tennis’ hottest new fan — who her favorite player was, she slowly lifted her arm in a studied manner, paused and whispered in awe, “Oh, Andre. He’s a Zen Master.” Later, she told TV reporter Michael Barkann that Andre had called her after seeing The Prince of Tides, and they talked for two hours. “He’s very, very intelligent, very, very sensitive, very evolved; more than his linear years. ... He’s a kind human being, and that just amazes me.” Mike Lupica zapped back, “If Agassi is an extraordinary human being, then Capriati is well on her way to the Nobel Peace Prize.” Tony Kornheiser added, “I thought Zen was about humility, and it didn’t come in hot lava shorts and a frosted ponytail. But hey, that was Zen and this now.” Okay, giggle at the Zen koan commentary, but slowly something vital was happening. Andre the florescent kid was taking his first steps on a long and winding yellow brick road of transformation.

1993
A YEAR OF LOSS
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Andre loses his chest hair. He loses his coach Nick Bollettieri, and he loses face when Sampras becomes No. 1 and jokes, “Nobody should be ranked No. 1 who looks like he just swung from a tree.” Suffering tendonitis in his wrist, his ranking drops to No. 24, he gains eight pounds and loses again in the first round of the Open. Surgery saves his career.

1994
BROOKE, BRAD AND BIKES
Maybe it was his new coach, Brad Gilbert. Maybe it was his new girlfriend, Brooke Shields, or maybe it was all the lowered expectations. In any case, Agassi — unseeded and ranked No. 20 — swept past Chang, Thomas Muster, Todd Martin and Michael Stich to at last claim his first U.S. Open title. Then again, maybe it was because the inexplicable basher often falters when he’s supposed to win (remember the ‘90 and ‘91 French finals) and wins when he’s supposed to falter (think Wimbledon ‘92). The New York Times captured his postmatch delight, noting “He was behaving with the giddy aplomb of a kid who’d just mastered the art of riding his two-wheeler.”

1995
HUMANITARIAN OR LOCKER ROOM DEMON?
Folks are noticing changes in the newly minted Aussie Open champ. No, it wasn’t just that he pulled off the most dramatic (pre-James Blake) hair change in tennis history. No, there was something else about the increasingly reflective and giving guy who had just created the Agassi Foundation and quietly contributed $1 million to Vegas’ Boys and Girls clubs. While Andre told IT that he had “a new, new attitude, “ Sports Illustrated noted, “The hyped twerp with the hair that looked as if it had been poured from a soda fountain has answered every critic and has become a 24-year-old of substance and accomplishment.” Of course, never underestimate the power of talk therapy. Andre explained, “I came to terms with my tennis and my childhood and my dad, and it just released me. When you finally get a little objectivity, you don’t take it so personally.” On court he became No. 1 as he won 26 straight summer hard-court matches. But Boris Becker was biting at his heels, claiming that Nike was getting Andre favors and that he didn’t hang out in the locker room, practice with the guys and wasn’t well liked. Worst yet, in the Open final, Sampras won a key 22-stroke first-set rally and served the lights out to again prevail 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. Andre reflected, “I went 26-1 this summer, and I’d give all 26 to get that one back.”

1996
SQUISHY IN THE HEAD?
Wuz goin’on? A fan claims “Brooke is making him squishy in the head.” Bollettieri speculates that Andre might fear getting married. In any case, he is booed off courts in Monte Carlo, Paris and Munich and kicked out of Indy for swearing. Plus, he and Brad Gilbert indulge in a nasty (“you can’t play in my sandbox”) spat with Thomas Muster and his camp, which sort of includes Princess Fergie. The enlightened exchanges feature such reflective thoughts as, “Probably his mother doesn’t even like him,” “He’s just so cocky, so arrogant. Every time you mention his name, I get sick.” And, of course, Andre’s immortal claim, “If Muster is No. 1 at the end of the year, I’ll allow him to sit in the Royal Box and bow to me.” Amid the brouhaha, Andre did manage to become the first American guy to win the Olympic Gold in singles since ‘24, and he did beat Muster in four at the Open. But some said his listless (“where’s the fight”) 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 loss to Chang in the Open semis was disgraceful and stood in marked contrast to Sampras, who famously lost his lunch while “gutting” out a key winning-ugly match over Alex Corretja en route to the title.

1997
WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE
There he was, the game’s most charismatic star, an icon and hero to millions, out on a back court at UNLV, behind a chain-link fence like a thousand other wannabes, playing an anonymous first-round match in a Challenger without a ballboy or network camera in sight. Again hobbled by a wrist injury that flared up just after he married Shields, Agassi’s ranking had fallen to No. 141. Still, he was willing to pay the price, playing glamorless Challengers in Vegas and Burbank. Yes, he was a no-show for the poignant opening-night ceremony for the Open’s new Ashe stadium, and eventual champ Pat Rafter took advantage of Andre’s big-match rustiness to dismiss him in the Open’s fourth round. Still, you could argue that, along with Andre’s tireless charity work, his Slam triumphs, Olympic gold and Davis Cup heroics, his vanity-free willingness to go down to the game’s no-frills minor leagues to retool was one of his finer moments.

1998
‘FROM IMAGE-IS-EVERYTHING’ TO ‘TENNIS-IS-NOTHING’
On the rebound, Andre’s five titles enable him to make the biggest one-year jump into the top 10 in ATP history (from No. 120 to No. 6). But, everywhere, there are signs of midlife crisis. By the end of the season, it will have been almost 3 years since Agassi has reached a Slam final. He announces that he wouldn’t play Davis Cup if it were held in his Vegas backyard and says his financial future depended more on the stock market than his tennis. So it’s no wonder that Tim Keown wrote that Agassi’s career went “from image-is-everything to tennis-is-nothing.” At the Open, he moonballs and mocks the very beatable Czech Karol Kucera before suffering his second straight fourth-round loss.

1999
‘HE COULDN’T BEAT MY MUM. HE’S FINISHED’
What a dismal start. Andre is booted out of San Jose for swearing. Brooke explains that she would see Andre just three weeks a year, and they would be divorcing, and Brit Davis Cup coach David Lloyd announces, “Agassi couldn’t beat my mum now. He’s finished.” But just months later, he not only started dating the love of his life, Steffi Graf, the day after she won the French, he scored the sweetest triumph of his own career, winning Roland Garros to join Fred Perry, Budge, Emerson and Laver as the only men to win all four majors. OK, he lost the Wimby final to Pete (not exactly a wretched result), raced to the U.S. Open final and (with his Greta Garbo-like love watching from seats in the upper ozone) survived eight break points against Todd Martin to score a 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (2), 6-3, 6-2 comeback win. His second U.S. Open title helped him to finish the year at No. 1 for the first time, and his dignity and thoughtfulness impressed more than ever. Sports Illustrated’s S.L. Price noted, “After 11 years marked as much by flameouts and Taco Bell runs as by streaks of on-court brilliance, Agassi became a man in full this year.”

2000
‘CLEARLY OTHER THINGS ARE IN PLAY’
Need some evidence on whether Andre is the most intriguing player in the game? Well, check this out. When asked whether she finds Tim Henman intriguing, the head of the Henman Fan Club said, “No. I find Agassi fascinating.” And certainly part of his intrigue are his “Kerry-esque” flip-flops. After winning the Aussie Open (his third major in four attempts) and leading the U.S. to a first-round Davis Cup win in Zimbabwe, you figure the guy’s going to really dominate. Wrong. Australia would be the last title he’d win this year. After a passionless second-round U.S. Open loss to Frenchman Arnaud Clement, Andre appeared before the press with a vacant expression. With both his mom and sister battling breast cancer, it was easy to understand. His agent and pal Perry Rogers explained, “There are clearly other things in play.”

2001
‘NEVER HAVE I SEEN A BUZZ LIKE THAT’
“I’m most proud,” he told IT, “when I feel totally lost on court, when I feel alone, when I feel like I don’t know if I can do it anymore, and I still tell myself, ‘run and work and try.’” Facing Pete in the Open quarters in their most memorable nonfinal confrontation, Andre worked his archrival big time. And, before the biggest crowd to ever see a men’s tournament match, he didn’t once drop his serve. But it wasn’t enough, as Andre went down in four scintillating tiebreak sets. How exciting was it? Well, when IT asked USTA marketing whiz Arlen Kantarian what has been his favorite U.S. Open moment, he responded: “Pete versus Andre, quarterfinal, nighttime, under the lights, 20,000 people. Never have I seen a buzz like that in a stadium for a live sporting event.”

2002
PETE VS. ANDRE: THE LAST CHAPTER
It was Ted Williams blasting a Fenway homer in his last at bat; Michael Jordan hitting a “death-to-the-Jazz” jumper to win his final NBA Championship. It was Lance Armstrong winning his seventh Tour de France before peddling off into the sunset. Sampras, who hadn’t won a tourney in 26 months and had a dismal summer, played sublime serve-’n’-volley ball to down his greatest rival 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in the Open final to gain his 14th Slam and to cap his best-in-history career. Yeah, Pete threw Agassi a swell bone, saying, “I’ve needed Andre. He’s pushed me and forced me to add things to my game.” Still, there was little consolation for Agassi, except the eventual realization that Pete would no longer be around to deny him titles. After all, Agassi knew the stats. Pete was undefeated in their four U.S meetings. Pete won six of their nine Slam finals and led the rivalry 20-14. Still, Agassi, now a father, was gracious, saying, “I’ve played some of my most memorable matches against Pete and come out on both sides. We’re opposite in everything we do. It allows for many aspects of the game to reveal themselves. Every point, something special seems like it’s going to happen.”

2003
‘LET’S SEE WHAT YOU’VE GOT, BIG BOY’
Since he was the last of the Fab 4 still on the circuit and was now the oldest player ever to hold the No. 1 ranking, it’s hardly surprising that many began to tease Andre. Courier claimed Agassi had been thinking about retirement since he was 7, and when Andre jokingly confronted Roddick, asking, “Let’s see what you have, big boy,” Andy shot back, “Hair.” Agassi himself insisted there was no problem on court and that he felt old only “when I’m pulling hair out of my ears.” With a new coach Darin Cahill by his side, the Aussie Open champ reached the semis before J.C. Ferrero knocked him out of the Open and off his perch atop the rankings.

2004
‘THE LAST UNSOLD PUPPY IN THE PET SHOP’
As in his youth, critics again were shrill. Some noted, “Since Agassi married Steffi, he’s had more kids than Grand Slam titles “ Others observed, “Agassi, of the limpid eyes, looked like the last unsold puppy in the pet shop ... [and] displayed the foot speed of a man twice his age.” But so what? Three generations of Agassis were on hand at the Open as Pops took on his fifth generation of foes. And in the quarters, Andre seemed about ready to outpunch Federer, the best of the new breed. But just in time, as is his wont, Roger raised his level as play was suspended. The next day, amid gales and dust storms, you would have expected the crafty Las Vegan vet to thrive. But it was the precise young Swiss who adapted, while Andre was hesitant and unsure in a painful 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 loss. Limping down the hall after his defeat, his problematic back seemingly acting up again, the vanquished warrior pondered the thought that, had the match not been suspended the night before, he might have pulled out the last two sets with the rowdy night crowd behind him. “Yeah, well, we’ll never know.”

DELRAY BEACH, Florida (Reuters) - Andre Agassi made a confident start to his season when he beat Brazilian Ricardo Mello 6-4 6-4 in the first round of the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships (ITC) on Monday.
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The 35-year-old top seed, who missed this month's
Australian Open due to an ankle injury, served 10 aces and needed just 67 minutes to see off Mello, the 2004 Delray Beach champion.

"It felt good, it was pain free," Agassi told a news conference, when asked about the ankle. "I've just got to run faster now, that's all."

The eight-times Grand Slam champion, who lost to world number one Roger Federer in last year's
U.S. Open final, said he had felt "random moments of frustration" about his shot selection and a lack of sharpness after an extended period of inactivity.

He laughed off a question about whether he would retire at the end of the season, which would a 21-year career for the Las Vegas native who turns 36 in April.

"Yeah, I don't know. I suppose every year I'm getting closer to it, right? If I come up with any plans I'll call you," he said.

Agassi, who had not played since pulling out of a Masters Cup match against Nikolay Davydenko in November, hinted that time is not really on his side.

"I think as you get older you appreciate things more," he said. "You realize that they'll be over soon."

Agassi had to survive three sets to down Ramon Delgado, 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-0, at Delray Beach Tennis Center & Stadium. The American led the first set 4-2 before losing four straight games and finding himself behind in just his second match of the season.

He rallied, however, to outlast Delgado in the second-set tiebreaker and put away the 29-year-old from Paraguay in the third rather easily. The match lasted nearly two hours, going one hour, 58 minutes.

Agassi improved to 4-0 lifetime against Delgado.

The third-seeded Malisse needed just two sets to dispose of American Justin Gimelstob, 6-2, 7-5. The Belgian was pushed to the limit in the second set, needing a break on the final game to come away with the victory.

The 35-year-old Agassi skipped the
Australian Open because of a nagging ankle injury suffered playing racquetball late last year.

He made his 2006 debut at the 380,000 dollar hardcourt event on Monday, dispatching Brazilian Ricardo Mello, 6-4, 6-4.

Agassi faced a much more difficult challenge in Delgado, who beat American Bobby Reynolds in the first round.

After winning the opening set, Delgado was one game away from the upset, taking a 6-5 lead in the second set.

But Agassi won the 12th game of the second set and won the tiebreak before cruising to the victory and setting up a meeting with Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in the quarterfinals.

Garcia-Lopez posted a 6-3, 6-2 triumph over American qualifier Todd Widom, who had upset No. 5 Wesley Moodie of South Africa in the first round.

Gigan

02-02-2006, 07:43 PM

Posted on Thu, Feb. 02, 2006
ITC
Agassi dodges scare, prevails
Andre Agassi's gamble paid off as he saved two match points to defeat 129th-ranked Ramon Delgado and advance to the quarterfinals of the ITC.
By SANDRA HARWITT
Special to The Miami Herald

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DELRAY BEACH - It took venturing into unfamiliar territory for Andre Agassi to save himself from defeat and book a spot in the quarterfinals at the International Tennis Championships.

The top-seeded Agassi was fighting for survival in the second round at the Delray Beach Tennis Center on Wednesday night, eventually staring at two match points on his own serve in the 10th game of the second set.

Ramon Delgado, who had never won a set from Agassi in three previous meetings and is ranked 129th, was on the verge of a victory at 6-4, 5-4 with a match point at 30-40 and then at ad-out.

Agassi, 35, was clearly not playing top-flight tennis on the day. Nevertheless, he had come to South Florida to start his 2006 campaign and, rusty or not, he wasn't ready to declare his trip to Delray Beach over.

So Agassi opted for the surprise tactic: He ventured forward to save both match points at the net.

''I figured it's been 20 years -- I might as well try it,'' said Agassi, laughingly admitting the serve-and-volley game has never been his source of success. ``I might as well come to the net besides for shaking hands.''

Clearly, Agassi's experience as an eight-time Grand Slam champion worked in his favor when he was staring at defeat. He knew that to remain in contention for the ITC title, he had to take chances.

''To a certain degree you have to ignore the score and make the guy execute,'' Agassi said. ``Obviously, you're aware that you're one point away from being out but you try to say, `Well, I've got to take my shot. I can't just wait for something to happen here. But I'm well aware I could have lost with one bad decision there.''

Initially, Agassi seemed to be continuing on the roll he established Monday night when he impressively beat Ricardo Mello of Brazil.

But the Delgado match was not bound to go as smoothly.

Agassi started strong and established a 4-2 lead on Delgado in the opening set.

But that's when his game started to show the tarnish of being sidelined with an ankle injury since reaching the U.S. Open semifinals last September.

He allowed Delgado to recoup the service break in the eighth game of the first set.

And then, after hitting an exquisite backhand winner to break serve in the opening game of the second set -- a shot that caused Agassi to shout ''C'mon'' -- he let Delgado immediately break back in the next game.

''I need to feel the pressure and the competition again and problem-solve out there,'' Agassi said. ``I wasn't comfortable the whole time, and to figure out a way to still get through it allows you to relax more for the next one.''

Even when Agassi established a 4-1 lead in the second set tiebreaker, Delgado seemed to still have winning on his mind, taking three more points before surrendering the set.

It was only after losing the second set that Delgado faded. In the third set, Delgado was nothing more than a conduit to victory for Agassi, who won 24 of the 32 points in the 20-minute final set.

''In the third set, I was just gone,'' Delgado said. ``I don't remember [playing] a third set.''

Agassi, who is in the hunt for his 61st career title here at the ITC, didn't hesitate to give Delgado credit for mounting a strong strategy in the match.

''He was serving well, playing smart, he took some chances on my second serve and taking chances in rally, and at other times, he was patient,'' Agassi said.

``If there's anything to fault him on it would not be not closing it out in the second, but going away in the third. I know it was difficult to lose in the second, but for the most part, he was in control of that match there and I was hanging on.''

Gigan

02-11-2006, 07:20 PM

Agassi/Graf Perfume

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I realize tennis players like to make easy money when they can, but this press release about Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf's new fragrances just sounds ridiculous - like we've stepped into the middle of a bad romance flick. It might be better to leave the perfume marketing to the Maria Sharapovas of the tennis world.
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Introducing Aramis Always for Him and for Her, two new fragrances inspired by the real life love story of tennis legends Andre Agassi and Stefanie raf. Aramis Always for Him and for Her are modern romance captured in a bottle – telling the story of a couple’s perfect love match and their commitment over time.

“Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf are strong, exceptional individuals and together they share passion and chemistry created from loyalty, friendship and love,” said Robin Mason, Vice President Global Marketing, Aramis and Designer Fragrances. A marriage of hearts and minds, Aramis Always for Him and for Her was designed to experience the souls of two people who adore each other. The fragrances celebrate the deepest and most unbreakable bond between a man and woman. Most people find love difficult to describe, but Andre Agassi has no problem expressing his feelings for his wife Stefanie. They met in Paris. They fell in love. It was a fairy tale come true and, years after they first met, it just keeps getting better. “We are lucky, we got to live our dream when we became professional tennis players, and even luckier we met each other because of it,” said Andre Agassi, “Stefanie and I believe in fate. Aramis Always gave us the opportunity to bottle up the powerful emotions that came with our love story and spread it around.”
February 09, 2006 in Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf | Permalink

Comments

Well, Agassi has a contract with Estee Lauder, they support his children project, so it's for something good.

what if they break up (i hope not), will they discontinue the line?
Posted by: Marlon | Feb 9, 2006 6:34:25 PM

my favourite was the bottling up their power emotions part... how melodramatic. Did the writers for Days of Our Lives / General Hospital have a hand in this?!
Posted by: Naomi | Feb 9, 2006 7:43:57 PM

Yes, it was quite funny how they linked their emotions for each other with the perfume line.
Posted by: | Feb 9, 2006 10:17:18 PM

I love Steffi to pieces, but this press release reads like a bad Harlequin romance novel. I can't believe Steffi would let something as sappy as this get authored! Ah well, with all the nastiness going on in the world, maybe we need a little "sap" now and then.

Although, I will try the perfume out to see if it's any good.
Posted by: Ally | Feb 11, 2006 11:43:26 AM

mandy20

02-11-2006, 08:20 PM

Both Andre and Steffi perfume are out in the shops in the UK and I have both and they are realy nice and small great.

czech1rep

02-11-2006, 08:28 PM

Both Andre and Steffi perfume are out in the shops in the UK and I have both and they are realy nice and small great.

wow
they aren´t in the Czech Republic yet. I´ll buy them too..

llama

02-11-2006, 09:13 PM

I'm a great fan of both Andre and Steffi - but, c'mon, even they must be laughing at that press release. Somehow I just can't picture Andre saying those things - "bottle up the the powerful emotions that came with our love" - ????

That being said, I'll be anxious to give it a sniff and I tremendously admire and respect what a wonderful marriage they've made.

czech1rep

02-11-2006, 10:03 PM

I'm a great fan of both Andre and Steffi - but, c'mon, even they must be laughing at that press release. Somehow I just can't picture Andre saying those things - "bottle up the the powerful emotions that came with our love" - ????

That being said, I'll be anxious to give it a sniff and I tremendously admire and respect what a wonderful marriage they've made.

News of Andre Agassi's withdrawal from the SAP Open this week was sent to the media late largely because the tennis legend's agent wanted his client to be seen by a doctor first, a spokeswoman for Agassi Enterprises said Wednesday.

Agassi practiced at HP Pavilion on Sunday from 6-7 p.m. and then told tournament director Bill Rapp of his lower-back injury and potential withdrawal, Julie Stipe said. Agassi asked to be seen by a doctor to confirm.

Rapp told Agassi that the tournament physician would not be back until Monday. Agassi's handlers then told Rapp that they would issue an official news release after the medical exam because the doctor's confirmation would prevent anyone from accusing Agassi of faking the injury. They also were under the impression that a withdrawal could not become official until a doctor's OK, Stipe said.

But that isn't the case.

The ATP made Agassi's withdrawal official around 9 p.m. Sunday.

Still, Rapp said he thought Agassi's handlers didn't want the news out until the doctor's visit Monday. Stipe said it no longer mattered once the ATP made it official.

Rapp ultimately decided to send out a release without approval from Agassi's people. It reached the media via e-mail at midnight, preventing the news from making the morning papers

Kirk

03-19-2006, 08:24 PM

March 19, 2006
André Agassi v. British Taxman: 3rd Set

Interesting English tax case involving André Agassi, as reported in today's Telegraph: Tax on Stars Is Unfair, Says Agassi as £500m Battle Goes to Lords, by Adam Lusher:
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It is the match that pits Gordon Brown against André Agassi supported by Britney Spears, Tiger Woods and the Williams sisters. Tony Blair may not be taking sides (yet) but for Spears, Agassi and friends all eyes, surely, will this week turn to that great sporting arena: Committee Room One of the House of Lords. It is here, with £500 million at stake, that Agassi and his lawyers will contest the final set in the biggest match of their lives: Agassi v Robinson (Inspector of Taxes). Victory means Agassi will escape paying £27,500 to the British taxman. More important, Team Agassi estimates its stand could result in a whole galaxy of stars demanding the Inland Revenue return a total of up to £500 million in taxes, paid since 1988....

"This covers all the overseas entertainers who come to the UK to perform: sportsmen, football players, pop stars," explained Mike Warburton, a senior tax partner at Grant Thornton, the global financial consultancy. "All their agents will be looking at this, Britney's included." As Spears may, or may not, know, this is all because of section 555(2) of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988… and Thriller by Michael Jackson. "It's all Michael Jackson's fault," explained Mr Warburton. "He started this. The law was introduced following a series of Michael Jackson concerts. "Overseas entertainers were making vast profits in the UK, and the British taxman wasn't getting enough." Hence the 1988 Act, section 555(2) obliging promoters and sponsors to deduct tax before paying stars for work in Britain.

For a while, the taxman was happy - very happy, because he wasn't just getting money from deals with British-based companies. If, say, a certain American tennis star had sponsorship deals with Nike, an American sportswear company, and Head, an Austrian sports equipment manufacturer, the British Revenue was entitled to some of that cash too. Why? Because, Mr Agassi, for a proportion of the tax year you were earning your sponsorship money while playing at Wimbledon. (Time spent in leather catsuits at Wembley Arena was taxable too, Britney.)

So Agassi took up the fight for multimillionaire entertainers. He had a disastrous first set, his arguments smashed all over the High Court by Mr Justice Lightman in March 2004, but recovered brilliantly in the Appeal Court. Now, it's all down to the third set, the House of Lords appeal by the Revenue. Dispensing with serve and volley, Agassi is relying on the old "principle of territoriality" tactic. If "territoriality" applies, he owes Mr Brown nothing because Agassi Enterprises, his company, and his sponsors Nike and Head are all outside British territory with no "tax presence" in the UK

sk8ten

04-24-2006, 10:29 PM

Hello, Read an article at another web-site with an update on the "Agassi Story", the autobiography of Andre's father. It says that the book will soon be release in more countries and also a dvd is planned. Here is a link to the website: http://www.sportsmediainc.com/tennisweek/

By Tennis Week
04/24/2006
The Agassi Story is a tale told in multiple languages. In a testament to Andre Agassi's international appeal, publishing rights to The Agassi Story have been sold to more than 15 different nations. The Agassi Story, the autobiography of Mike Agassi, Andre's father, is scheduled for release in French-Canadian markets, Europe, China and Russia this summer....

czech1rep

04-25-2006, 12:44 PM

Thanx sk8ten :)

kati830728

05-12-2006, 09:37 AM

http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/06/05/12/100bus_market001.cfm

go on this website you can see andre agassi´s brother in-law.Tami´s husband.
On the right side. I think he is that.

sandhyanair

05-14-2006, 12:00 PM

http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/06/05/12/100bus_market001.cfm

go on this website you can see andre agassi´s brother in-law.Tami´s husband.
On the right side. I think he is that.
i am not happy abt Tami's husband.she should have got a better one.both of Andre's sisters got married to wrong persons.any one knows abt Philip agassi' wife.?

llama

05-14-2006, 12:11 PM

i am not happy abt Tami's husband.she should have got a better one.both of Andre's sisters got married to wrong persons.any one knows abt Philip agassi' wife.?

Well - that's certainly uncalled for - who are you to judge her husband? Do you know him? Have you any proof that he isn't a decent human being?

Agassi Aces

05-17-2006, 10:29 AM

http://www.sportsline.com/tennis/story/9442739/1

Agassi will attempt to shape own destiny -- again
May 16, 2006
By Joel Drucker

We won't see Andre Agassi at the French Open this year. Months ago he opted to skip the European clay-court circuit, pragmatically willing to take the hit on his ranking points that's incurred by withdrawing from three Masters Series events and Roland Garros.

Yet little did Agassi imagine that injuries would also muddle his entire year. By the time he makes his planned (but uncertain) return to the game at the Wimbledon tuneup event in London next month, he'll have played only seven matches in 2006, compiling a desultory 4-3 record.

At the French Open in the late '80s, Andre Agassi arrived on the big stage. (Getty Images)
As Agassi sits in Las Vegas hoping for his body to recover, I wonder if he contemplates the revolution he began 18 years -- and half his life -- ago. That was the spring when Agassi made a superb French Open debut.

Already that 1988 season, he wowed fans across North America with his high-octane groundstrokes and compelling persona. But it was in Paris where he first delivered the goods on a grand stage.

It wasn't just that Agassi won five matches to reach the semifinals. It was the way he did so, thoroughly charming crowds with his clothing, his grunts and his groundies. "Hey, that's a pretty cute girl," Agassi said years later about the thin blonde he was back then, an ingénue in denim shorts who'd been the belle of the ball.

Paris was where Agassi faced tennis depths and heights. Two of his most painful losses occurred when he was upset in the '90 and '91 finals. But in 1999, Paris was the site for his most treasured victory when he took the title, coming from two sets to love down to beat Andre Medvedev. Added to that victory was the onset of his romance with that year's women's champ, Steffi Graf.

I won't use this space to conjecture about when Agassi will decide to retire. Why bother? Besides, no tennis player -- better yet, no athlete -- has shredded more predictions than Agassi.

What interests me most about Agassi is the way his concept of tennis is linked to his life -- and in turn, the way that understanding of the game has revolutionized the definition of what it means to be an athlete.

Agassi believes there is something elemental and austere about a tennis match. "Two guys in one place, trying to deal with each other and figure it out," he once told me. "Isn't that kind of what human beings go through every day?"

Given that Agassi's father and first tennis teacher, Mike, was an Olympic boxer, it's easy to see how Agassi sees the sport in a way that's simple, compelling, combative and introspective.

Ironically, though, for a good deal of Agassi's career he failed to understand what it took to compete effectively -- that is, to relate to his opponent.

"I was all about trying to hit flashy shots when I was young," he said. "Only later did I see that the game is more about breaking the other guy down and forcing him to miss."

Of course, the fact that Agassi was able to accomplish this with such a lethal forehand-backhand combo -- I'll contend it's the best in tennis history -- was helpful. But what mattered most to his tennis legacy is that in time he saw the light and became a far better player past the age of 29.

Off the court, Agassi has been somewhat of a pop culture revolutionary -- the dozens of Nike outfits he wore for much of his career, his hairstyles, his philanthropy -- the guy built a school -- and his catalytic impact as a box office draw in tennis' post-boom era. But I'm more drawn to another Agassi revolution.

We tend to think of athleticism as an innate attribute, as finite, out of our control and cast in stone as eye color. From the get-go, the willowy Pete Sampras was considered an "athlete." Jim Courier was a "grinder," Michael Chang a "thinker," Agassi a "talent."

Agassi didn't want to occupy a box. The seeds of rebellion had been planted in him as a teenager when his father shipped him from his cozy home in Las Vegas to the tennis boot camp of Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy. Through much of Agassi's early career, he treated tennis with ambivalence, constantly backing away from the sport that had made him a millionaire.

But all that restless energy also made Agassi a seeker, a person not content to sit in one place. Early in his career, Agassi faded in long matches. He wanted to get stronger, so he began working with Gil Reyes, the strength and conditioning coach of the formidable UNLV basketball team. Though it took awhile for him to calibrate his body weight with his tennis game, in time Agassi's physique become exquisitely well-chiseled. In his late 20s, he made himself faster.

And all along, through various physical changes, through altering his diet, through changing his practice routines, Agassi grew increasingly smarter.

"I want to make myself a better athlete," he said at a time when he'd already won three Grand Slam titles and been ranked No. 1 in the world. "If you make yourself stronger, faster, more aware of what's going on out there, you make yourself a better athlete, and in time a better player."

And by the way, each of the three Agassi rivals mentioned above took similar steps to outstrip their classification. But probably none covered more emotional territory than Agassi, who over the course of his career went from an apparent wasted talent to an example of devotion.

The notion that no destiny is pre-ordained fits in nicely with a mantra Agassi recites about his school, the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy: "If you tell a child he's stupid," goes the Agassi line, "he won't become very intelligent. But if you tell him he's smart, and give him the tools to grow, who knows what can happen?"

Certainly, at 36, Agassi hopes that question can guide him through yet another attempted rebirth. Whether it will happen will surely be one of the more interesting tennis tales of the coming summer.

The new HBO documentary, Billie Jean King: Portrait of a Pioneer, is a superb, comprehensive look at one of the most important people in tennis history.

The star, of course, is King, who offers keen comments on everything from her tennis to her sexuality. It also includes exclusive -- and rare -- interviews with her parents and brother, former San Francisco Giants pitcher Randy Moffitt, and ex-husband Larry, as well as lively time-capsule glimpses into her life as a '70s celebrity, appearing on such programs as The Dick Cavett Show, Sonny & Cher and The Odd Couple.

But best of all is the action footage. Lest you think of King as strictly a revered icon, do note that she was a superbly engaging and effective player, keenly adept at volleying and movement. And as Bobby Riggs found out the hard way, she rose to the big occasion.

Agassi, an eight-time grand slam winner who has earned $31 million in prize money throughout his career, challenged the U.K. taxation of sponsorship payments made by Nike Inc. and other non- British companies to his own company, Agassi Enterprises Inc., while he played at U.K. tournaments such as Wimbledon.

``Foreign entertainers and sportsmen who, or whose controlled companies, receive payments in connection with their commercial activities in the United Kingdom should be subject to'' tax, Lord Richard Scott wrote in the House of Lords decision today.

Agassi, 36, lives in the U.S. and has been married to former tennis champion Steffi Graf since 2001. He officially withdrew from the French Open tennis tournament last week, after saying he would skip the clay-court season to rest a bad back and focus on grass court events such as Wimbledon.

The case is CH/2003/APP/0693, Andre Agassi and S Robinson (HM Inspector of Taxes.)

Agassi Aces

05-17-2006, 01:35 PM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4990126.stm

Agassi defeated in UK tax battle

Andre Agassi challenged a tax assessment for the 1998/99 season
US tennis star Andre Agassi has lost his legal battle to avoid paying UK income tax on endorsement deals.
Law Lords ruled he must pay tax on a portion of cash paid to him by Nike and Head because he endorsed their products at Wimbledon and other UK tournaments.

The Court of Appeal had earlier ruled Agassi was exempt because neither he nor the sports companies were UK-based.

But the Law Lords ruled foreign entertainers touring Britain must pay tax on money earned from such deals.

The Revenue feared that, had it lost its appeal, it would have been liable to repay millions of pounds to entertainers and sports stars who had toured the UK since 1988.

'No incongruity'

That was the year the Income and Corporations Taxes Act, which covers such deals, came into force.

The fact Nike and Head were paying money to the tennis star's US-based company, Agassi Enterprises Inc - rather than to Agassi himself - made no difference, the Law Lords ruled.

"Payments to foreign companies controlled by them are to be treated as payments to them," Lord Scott said.

Otherwise, payments of the tax would be rendered "to all intents voluntary", he added.

Lord Mance said there was "no incongruity" in entertainers or sportsmen being charged tax on money earned for endorsing products in the UK.

Agassi brought the case after challenging an assessment of £27,500 for the 1998/99 season.

Agassi Aces

05-18-2006, 11:12 AM

Reports from BBC Five Live indicate Andre may enter the ATP Challanger event in Surbiton, Surrey the week before Queens!

steffis

05-20-2006, 08:28 AM

Agassi update

Andre Agassi told Inside Tennis' Bill Simons on Thursday that he's hitting once again, but is unsure of whether his bad back and hip will be able to withstand the pounding of tournament play. The now 36-year-old is scheduled to play Queens two weeks prior to Wimbledon and hasn't played since Miami.

I really keep my fingers crossed that Andre will play in Queens and Wimbledon. :unsure:

mandy20

05-20-2006, 09:06 AM

not looking good he wont play the challanger before Queens. He will proberly test his back at QUEENS so he might not make it to Wimbledon. This could be a sad end to a great player

Few athletes have changed as dramatically during their careers as Andre Agassi.

As Agassi attempts to make his latest comeback at the elderly tennis age of 36, he is in many ways the opposite of the Agassi who 20 years ago this month won his first tournament as a professional.

Agassi has evolved from a boorish, shaggy-haired teen heartthrob who crushed virtually every ball to a bald father of two, tennis ambassador and humanitarian who wears down opponents on the court with precise groundstrokes.

Part of it is maturity and longevity. Agassi turned pro earlier and has remained competitive longer than almost anyone in men's tennis history. But with Agassi, everything has always been magnified.

The one constant in Agassi's career has been the almost supernatural hand-eye coordination that eventually will secure his place in the Hall of Fame alongside his wife, Steffi Graf.

Agassi has done virtually everything in tennis. He has:

_ Won each of the four Grand Slam singles titles, becoming one of only five men in history to do so.

_ Reached No. 1 in the world rankings (1995 and 1999).

_ Won an Olympic gold medal (Atlanta, 1996, in singles).

_ Played on three Davis Cup championship teams, including the United States' last one in 1995.

_ Won the year-ending tournament featuring the top eight players in the point standings (1990).

Those were distant goals when Agassi arrived in Reno for the 1986 Nevada State Open a few days after turning pro.

The Las Vegan had entered the $10,000 tournament only as a favor to his older brother, Phillip, a marginal pro who needed a doubles partner.

Ranked No. 285 in the world in singles and rising fast, Andre was coming off a grueling five-week satellite circuit in Florida and South Carolina. He had hoped to take two weeks off but figured that if he was going to play doubles in Reno, he might as well play singles, too.

Several tennis sources had projected the younger Agassi as a top-10 player in the world. Before the tournament, the brothers submitted to a 30-minute interview on the deck of the host Lakeridge Tennis Club overlooking Reno.

Andre was still in his rebellious stage (he had once shown up for a match wearing jeans, hightops and makeup). He had a two-tone mullet (radical in those days), and the nail on his right little finger was about an inch long and painted red.

Things got even more unusual once the interview began. Even though Andre was the focus, Phillip did almost all the talking. Andre spoke three sentences.

On the court, as I wrote in a 1997 unauthorized biography of Agassi, he "amazed fans at the Lakeridge Tennis Club with his explosive shotmaking, amused them with his baggy tennis shorts and two-tone punk haircut, and alienated them with his petulance."

The Agassis lost early in doubles, but the third-seeded Andre won the singles title. A weary Agassi struggled, though, in the thinner air of Reno's 4,500-foot altitude _ which favored serve-and-volleyers, not baseliners. He survived four consecutive three-set matches before the final.

Agassi's behavior, though, was abysmal. He drilled balls against the fence, berated opponents and suggestively put a racket between his legs. Yet never was he penalized.

There were no problems in the final, however, as Agassi demolished 10th-seeded Doug Stone, 6-3, 6-2 in 50 minutes.

On the men's circuit, Agassi gradually harnessed the powerful game his Iranian-born father, Emmanuel ("Mike"), had taught him. Agassi's manners eventually improved, too, although it took more than 10 years.

Along the way, Agassi overcame several major obstacles. He was labeled a choker after losing his first three Grand Slam finals, underwent career-threatening surgery on his right (playing) wrist in 1993 and slumped to No. 141 in the world rankings in 1997. Agassi also has a strong social conscience. He has raised more than $52.3 million for the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, founded in 1994 to benefit at-risk youth in Las Vegas. In 2001, the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, a charter school for at-risk youth, opened in West Las Vegas.

Agassi is trying to put off retirement for a few more years. Sidelined in March because of chronic back pain, he is skipping the clay-court season to focus on what could be his last appearance at Wimbledon. He plans to return to the circuit in the Stella Artois Championships, June 12-18 on grass in London.

Undoubtedly, even Reno tennis fans will be rooting for him.

(Editor's note: Paul Bauman covered the 1986 Nevada State Open tennis tournament, won by 16-year-old Andre Agassi, as a sportswriter for the Reno Gazette-Journal.)

suus21

05-30-2006, 10:23 AM

I miss Andre so much I can't take it if he's not playing Queens or Wimbledon...

steffis

05-30-2006, 12:09 PM

Andre and Steffi will arrive in Europe next week. I saw Steffi in TV today morning and she said that she will be in Germany when the Football Worldcup starts ( 9th June ).
Hopefully, we will hear some news from Andre.
I really hope that he won`t pull out of Queens and Wimbledon. If he would do so, I could cry.
But at the moment, I keep my fingers crossed and hope the best!!!!!!!!!

yoguis

05-30-2006, 03:57 PM

Andre and Steffi will arrive in Europe next week. I saw Steffi in TV today morning and she said that she will be in Germany when the Football Worldcup starts ( 9th June ).
Hopefully, we will hear some news from Andre.
I really hope that he won`t pull out of Queens and Wimbledon. If he would do so, I could cry.
But at the moment, I keep my fingers crossed and hope the best!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the news! :)

suus21

05-30-2006, 06:52 PM

they both love soccer so I can understand that they go to Europe next week. I really think Andre will play :)

czech1rep

06-01-2006, 02:34 PM

http://asapsports.com/tennis/000AB/AgassiAndre.html

don´t know if it has been posted..lots of interviews from 1992 to 2006.

kati830728

06-01-2006, 11:12 PM

Steffi Graf has joined Head in an advisory capacity to consult on their Airflow line of racquets for women.

Andre Just About Ready
PARIS -- Andre Agassi wrapped up a week of practice at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., where he logged some extensive court time with 18-year-old U.S. prospect Sam Querrey, and plans to fly to London on Tuesday and begin practicing, primarily with Andy Roddick, at Queens Club, where he'll play the the grass court lead-up there to Wimbledon.

My mole tells me Agassi and Querrey played a couple of sets on the grass at Mission Hills. Double A won 7-6, 6-4 and had some high praise afterward for his 6-foot-6 practice partner.

Agassi has not played an ATP match since losing to Tommy Haas at Indian Wells and swore off the clay for this season and, who know, probably forever because of the pressure it puts on his chronically injured back.

It will be great to see Agassi back on court because every tournament now could be his last. It's that touch-and-go with his career at age 36. And he's going to get a most royal welcome back to Wimbedon, where he hasn't played since going out in five sets to Mark Philippoussis in the round of 16 in 2003.

...Gabriela Sabatini, Patrick Rafter and Italian journalist Gianni Clerici will be inducted into the Hall of Fame next Saturday before the tournament semifinals. ¨
Hall of Famer Steffi Graf will return to present Sabatini for induction.
Rafter's father James will do the honors for his son, and Hall of Famer Bud Collins will introduce Clerici....

czech1rep

08-07-2006, 03:12 PM

Agassi, Graf will return for Richmond benefit

Richmond Times-Dispatch Aug 6, 2006

For those who were unable to see Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf perform their magic on the court when they were here in December, Genworth Financial is providing another opportunity.

Agassi, who has announced that he is retiring from the pro tour after the U.S. Open, and his wife, Graf, helped sell out the Siegel Center in 2005. They will join two other players Dec. 8 for the second annual Genworth Children's Advantage Classic at the same venue.

The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will include two matches, an eight-game, pro-set mixed doubles and a best-of-three sets men's singles.

In last year's exhibition, Agassi and Graf were joined by Anna Kournikova and Andy Roddick.

The 2005 affair raised more than $500,000 for at-risk children in the Richmond community. This year's event will be used for the same benefit.

Tickets, which will range from $35 to $125, will go on sale Sept. 12 and will be available through the Virginia Commonwealth University box office and all TicketMaster outlets. --John Packett

I'll be there (well, I plan on calling for tickets). If anyone wants to meet up, let me know. I'm game.

steffis

09-12-2006, 08:24 AM

Does anyone know if Andre has arrived in Las Vegas? I thought that he has returned home right after his loss at the Open but read this article:

Sep. 8, 2006
His amazing tennis career is over and now, Las Vegas hometown hero Andre Agassi is embarking on a new phase of his life. He appeared on CNN's Larry King Live Thursday night and is a guest on the Ellen DeGeneres Show Friday, but a lot of people are curious to learn what's in store for Andre when he returns to Las Vegas?
There is still no word on exactly when he's coming home. Some people have suggested there should be a parade, or some type of public celebration. A lot of fans would love to show him their appreciation for a great career.
( it`s form a magazine in Las Vegas )

By the way, where is the Larry King show and Ellen Degeneres? In New York, Los Angeles, San Fransisco? Does anybody know?

INSIDE TENNIS: So how are you feeling about saying goodbye?
ANDRE AGASSI: Well, I'm looking forward to this summer. I feel every bit as good about my decision as the days have passed. But, obviously, there's a certain sadness to it and bittersweet feelings. You sort of want it to last forever, but you know it can't.
IT: Arguably, no other athlete has changed so markedly over the years. When all is said and done, what are the two or three keys about transformation, about changing yourself? Is it about listening to yourself? Facing fears? The willingness to change?
AA: For me, it's always been about the process - the battle, not the destination. Whether it's trying to figure out my tennis or something else, it's about everyday actuality and appreciating that life happens in between your plans. That's where the joy is for me.
IT: You've told us that tennis is such a great teacher. Does it teach you patience, discipline, a willingness to go to plan B?
AA: You're out there by yourself and have to figure a way to get the most out of yourself regardless of how good you are. Some days you're at 100 percent and produce your best. Other days, you can't, but you have to realize that getting 100 percent out of an 80 percent day is a major accomplishment. It's about always trying to find a way of getting the most out of yourself. It's discipline, problem solving, perseverance, patience.
http://www.insidetennis.com/it_img/0906_agassi_women.jpg
IT: Was your best fighting result on court in '99 in the French Open final, when you were down two sets to Andrei Medvedev?
AA: For sure, because I was paralyzed out there. I was nervous. Seeing how I started and how I finished, it was probably the greatest example of problem solving because I was fighting myself first. Then, once I started to loosen up, I still had to deal with him and being two sets to love down.
IT: That win was even more important than your first Grand Slam - Wimbledon '92 - after seven years of futility in the majors.
AA: There was just so much more on the line, from where I was personally at the time, coming off a difficult time in my life [his divorce with Brooke Shields]. Plus, clay was never my best surface. It was the last of the four Grand Slams that I won. It was the pressure and what was on the line for me personally and professionally which brought out the worst and the best of me all in one match.
IT: And as a kid you were more than feisty. What do you think that young teenage persona would think of Andre Agassi the family man, the community man, the reflective guy who talks with such insight?
AA: All those qualities were in that teenager. So I hope he would've recognized a lot of it. I'm not sure if that's the case, but I always cared about a lot of things. I just never knew how to communicate, never understood or really accepted responsibility for myself, and that's a growing process. I don't know if any of us would recognize ourselves when we were 17 or 18 years old.
IT: I sure wouldn't have. Where do you think you picked up the stand-up quality of accountability, where you take responsibility for all your actions in word and deed?

http://www.insidetennis.com/it_img/0906_agassi_history.jpg

AA: It's been a hard evolution. I always had a certain level of desire to face the truth. I just grew into a lot more than my little world.
IT: Always a desire to face the truth? So what about facing the truth this spring when you were struggling with your body and knew the end was near?
AA: This year was the toughest part of this whole process. The decision to retire wasn't as difficult or emotional a decision as I anticipated. But the process to get there was uncomfortable and frustrating. It's so easy to question yourself at 36, to second guess, to be unsure. And at the same time, you're pulling a lot of people along with you, your family and coaches and years of hard work, so you just don't want to get out there and feel ordinary. So it was a real struggle this year, missing Australia, plus that two good days/two bad days rhythm that I had for months. But the time off and skipping the clay allowed me to get my arms around it. I managed to hold it off as long as I could. I held off on more injections until after Wimbledon, and it became pretty clear how I wanted everything to go from there.
IT: So you're happy?
AA: Yes, absolutely. Parts of it were tough. I don't feel like there's any real heavy drama to this process outside of the emotion of feeling very connected to a lot of people that I won't be around as much. That's why it's good I live in Vegas. It gives people a reason to say, "I'll go to Vegas. Hey, Andre is there." They'll [come to] say hello. [The time] after the U.S. Open and early this year was very difficult on me. I tore all the ligaments in my ankle and couldn't compete, move or train the way I wanted... I got behind the eight ball. The process of fighting to still have a competitive year was quite frustrating. I was in torment because you never like being ordinary out there. You're not used to it. You're not comfortable. But I don't regret any decisions I've made. I know it's the right time for me. There's just too much to do out there.
IT: You've said that when you're operating on your instincts, you don't trust yourself. Why's that? Do you think you didn't have a chance in terms of your life as a young kid and then going off to Nick's academy, then finding yourself - plunk - right on the circuit that you just didn't have the chance to work with your instincts?
AA: I'm the kind of guy who feels something and then has to understand it down the road. I'm not one of those who thinks something and then puts it into practice and ends up feeling connected to it. I'm very reactive. My heart leads my head in many cases. Experience has taught me that I can't always trust what I feel. That's one of the things I love and hate about myself. It has its good points and its difficult ones. It's been a lot of tough lessons, but it's been very fulfilling.
IT: And then there's your concern over order on the court. The ball boy has to be exactly here, the balls have to be exactly there, etc. Is that because you want your world to be set so you can go out there and perform or ...
AA: Strangely, I'm highly sensitive to what's around me in many cases and in some cases, I'm clueless. When it comes to the parameters of the playing arena, I'm just very aware of where everybody is, and I just prefer to keep the focus.
IT: I want to talk about generations. Your family story is just incredible. Your great-grandfather comes from Armenia to make furniture. Your grandfather goes from Russia on foot with a donkey over the mountains to Tehran. Your father leaves Tehran and ends up in Chicago with a few bucks in his pocket. Then you break through and now you have this incredible family.
AA: I only hear the stories as you hear them. I know my father's history, but for me, they are just stories, too. It's amazing when I hear it. [But what touches me] is what his life was like in America. Then I'm amazed. I have two kids now, and my parents had two kids and a dog and got in a car in Chicago and drove to the West to figure out where my dad could play tennis twelve months a year, not knowing whether he was going to work. So he set up shop in a little desert town called Vegas and took care of two courts at the Tropicana to teach lessons on one and have his kids play on the other. He held down two jobs for most of our lives to raise four children. I marvel at that. I know what it takes just to raise the two we have with a lot of resources.
IT: You sound like you are at peace with your father, a man who was very difficult for you.
AA: We've been through our moments. As I took his passions upon my shoulders, it created a lot of confusion and conflict inside me. At the same time, I realize as I've gotten older, just how honest he's always been with what he cares about.
IT: What a sense of purpose and work ethic.
AA: Yeah, he's driven. He still works every day. The man has a fire in his belly that I admire.
IT: If you had the choice again, would you go to Nick's academy? Or maybe scratch it?
AA: Life was going to have a lot of trials and tribulations for me, whatever road I ended up choosing. No, I needed to go for this career, and tennis has been a great friend. It's been a great relationship. I've learned a lot and grown a lot and have a lot as a result of it. It's been 20 years of me practicing for tomorrow. I've learned a lot to prepare myself now for the rest of my life. Hopefully, God willing, my life will be a lot more than the 20 years in tennis.
IT: All of us make mistakes in our lives. You just make it in the public square. If the gods from the rewrite desk said, "Hey, you can go back and change any of your decisions," whether it was skipping the Wimbys and the Australian Opens, or winning that 22-point rally against Pete [on set point in the '95 U.S. Open final], or passing on doing the "image is everything" ad campaign, what would you choose?
AA: If I could avoid the mistake while maintaining the lessons learned, I would rewrite all of them. But if I had to give up what I learned as a result of them, it's impossible. It's been a tough road, but it's been well worth it. So if I didn't have to give up what I've learned, I would go back and rewrite every moment that I made somebody feel less than they deserve.
IT: And the entertainer George Lopez said, "This guy has gone from 'image is everything' to 'humanity is everything.'"
AA: That comment speaks volumes. It meant a lot to me to hear it.
IT: Your trainer and friend Gil Reyes says the character of any athlete can be judged not so much when he retires but in ten years or so afterwards, when you can see what he's given back. What's your vision of the future?
AA: Giving back is something I've valued since I was a teen, something I committed to in my own mind as early as 15. The question was how and when. I didn't know what success, what resources I'd have. But I knew it mattered. For me, it starts with children and ends with children. That's a responsibility that falls on everybody's shoulders. They're our future, so I started my foundation 13 years ago. Now I have dreams of my school becoming the model for how education can be in our country. Our academy is taking kids one year to two years behind in education, and we're bringing them up to grade level inside a year. We're nationally recognized for our achievements. So we're not just throwing money at a problem; we're proving you can change a child's life by teaching them that there aren't shortcuts, by creating a culture. My hope would be to connect the dots and create a road map on how this can be duplicated all across our country. That would make me feel good.
IT: You also heard plenty of kudos at Wimbledon. The event is so much more than a tennis tournament. It's about tradition, culture, and how to treat people. What are the things you've learned from going to Wimbledon?
AA: This was a place that first taught me to respect the sport, to appreciate the opportunity and privilege to play a game for a living. People work five days a week to play on the weekend. We get to call it a job. I learned that at Wimbledon - missing it for a few years, coming back, being embraced, seeing the respect for tennis and the respect for the competitors, the appreciation. The fans are here rain or shine. They sit through some tough conditions just to see a few minutes of play. Whether they're queuing up outside or sitting with their umbrellas on Centre Court, it's quite a love. That's what separates Wimbledon from every other event.
IT: Is there anything more touching in sports than that incredible spectator queue that goes on for a mile or so, for 36 hours or more?
AA: No. It's real humbling to be driving in and see these people living there for days to, hopefully, get in to see a little bit of tennis - most likely on the back courts. It really makes you appreciate.
IT: And what of the U.S. Open, with all its razzmatazz?
AA: New York has taught me how to be a better player and to be a better person. It's the toughest environment in our sport. It's challenged me to be more of myself. As a result, I've grown in places I wouldn't have grown in otherwise. In turn, they've become my biggest supporters. That relationship means the world to me.
IT: It must be some charge to go out in front of a full house at Ashe at night and sense that 44,000 eyeballs are on you.
AA: Oh, yeah. I've had many moments, but I can almost guarantee you, none will be more [incredible] than this year coming up.
IT: How would you assess your U.S. Open years in '94 and '99? These were your two triumphs, and then there was your fabulous run last year.
AA: A lot of ups and downs. I've had some real disappointing moments there [four losses to Sampras], some great triumphs, great single-match memories that stand out, the feeling of playing there at night.
IT: And one or two matches that pop out?
AA: Well, last year's against Blake [in the quarters]. There's nothing like what I felt out there that night. Playing Connors at night there when I was a teenager.
IT: Plus, there were all your matches with Sampras.

AA: It was amazing to have that rivalry. He gave me things that I aspired to. In many cases, he taught me what I wanted to be. And in many cases, he taught me what I didn't want to be. It was a rivalry that existed on so many layers, the way we played the game, the way we went about our sport... If we woke up as the other one, we'd both be living in a nightmare.
IT: He would just not want...
AA: Any part of my life, nor me his. It was that way when we were going to play on Sunday or if we weren't. We just were complete opposites, which lent itself to even a more special rivalry.
IT: He had a famous crack, "All I would want from his life was his plane." What of his would you like?
AA: His serve.
IT: Probably, Pete and Federer are the two best players you've ever faced. It they're playing against each other in the U.S. Open deep into the last set, who emerges?
AA: I've been privileged to play them both. It's a pleasure to watch Roger when you're in the thick of it with him, which speaks volumes for just what he's able to do on the court, because you're not in the mindset of giving somebody unnecessary credit when you're competing against him. But what Roger brings to the court, I've never seen before.
IT: Andre, let's briefly run through the different strokes and tell me the toughest ones you've faced. Is Federer's forehand...
AA: It's arguably the best that's ever been in the game.
IT: Sampras' serve?
AA: There are others with better serves, but he defended his serve well and that makes a difference. When you talk about a serve versus a hold game, you're talking about two entirely different things. Wayne Arthurs has one of the most beautiful serves you'll ever see. If you gave Pete Wayne Arthurs' serve, he would have been that much nastier.
IT: Best backhand: Connors, Guga Kuerten or...
AA: The first person that comes to mind, in terms of the high end of what their backhand is capable of, is [Marat] Safin. The guy can cane the ball and hurt you off returns, off stretch balls. And [David] Nalbandian's backhand is one of the most controlled shots that I've seen off the double-handed wing. As far as one-handers, one of the most beautiful to watch was Guga or Tommy Hass, who has a beautiful one-hander.
IT: And the volley - Edberg?
AA: Just the fundamentals on volleys? Yeah, Edberg. He's the one you felt like would miss the least volleys. But then you got a guy like [Patrick] Rafter who was such an athlete. The way he could cover the net presented a whole different kind of problem.
IT: And quickness? It used to be Chang. Now it's Nadal or Hewitt.
AA: No, no. Hewitt's not in Nadal's league as far as speed goes. I would put Nadal up there. You could argue Federer, or you could argue [German] Bjorn Phau. That might shock you, but he's lightning.
IT: Mental toughness - Connors, McEnroe or maybe...
AA: You give value to somebody who's done it for years, but I've never seen anybody treat every point as importantly as Nadal. He treats every point like that's the point he wants to win. He doesn't care what he has to put himself through. I've seen him be down 6-0, 3-0 against Roddick at the U.S. Open that one year, and win a game and fist pump and mean it.
IT: Few others have seen more changes in tennis. What adjustments did you have to make since the early days of Connors, McEnroe and Lendl?
AA: The fitness level has only increased over the years. Connors was 5-foot-9. Now you've got guys routinely that are 6-foot-3 and above. It's rare that you play somebody under that. The physicality has changed dramatically. Compare Nadal at 20 to me at 20. It's a sport that has started to figure out that the stronger and more physical you are, the more capable you are as an athlete. I was onto that earlier than most, building my strength and the base that was the foundation of my game. As a result, I served bigger and was able to handle pace better so as the game got faster, I could just shorten my swing. I got smarter with my shots. I've had to get more aggressive. It used to be where I could just run people around until they fell to the ground. But guys are just too strong now. It's a different game than in the past.
IT: So how would Andre of today handle Andre the 20-year-old? Would it be a pretty fast match?
AA: I want to hope so, but if I can't rotate or lunge, or if I have some of the ailments I've had the last few years and you stick me on the wrong day, it could be a pain for Andre - whichever one you're talking about. It depends what day I'm having. It's been a lot of that for me. But I want to believe that I've gotten better over the years. This year is a bit of an exception. I haven't found my best, that's for sure.
IT: Years from now, when Jaden's kid comes up to you and says, "Hey, gramps, what did you contribute most to that game of tennis?" what would you...
AA: When I first came onto the scene, I was the first person to hit
the ball big off both wings, [to] take the ball early and give it a good ride if I was in position off both sides. I would love to feel like I was part of that evolution of the game, that I helped the game and those around me get better.
IT: Let's switch and talk about women's tennis. When you look at Stephanie's game...it's still hard for me to call her Stephanie...
AA: Sure. You don't have to. Her mom calls her Steffi.
IT: Okay. Steffi had so many weapons. Do you see anyone on the circuit now who could take her down?
AA: A sport goes through periods where it changes a lot, where athletes get stronger and better. I haven't necessarily seen that over the last seven years in the women's game. The Williams sisters had a real opportunity to raise the athleticism and the standard of the game. But, it just seems that everyone's been plagued with injury. And Steff has a game that, to this day, is tough for people to handle. Her backhand was a low slice, and she had that big forehand, and she moved really well.
IT: Underrated serve, tough competitor.
AA: Yeah, she moved really well. That's key. You had to be able to sort of get in on her backhand. That was the most you could hope for.
IT: You've had exceptional relationships and marriages with incredible women: obviously Barbra Streisand, Brooke Shields and Steffi. You've experienced some of the more compelling women of our...
AA: Not just women - people. Barbra is one of the most fascinating people you'd ever meet.
IT: Because of her intensity, her mind?
AA: Talk about somebody who strives for perfection, who holds a stronger light on herself than others do. It's admirable in so many ways, and it's also a curse. It's the simple things in life, though. It's not how you think; it's how you choose to live. Sometimes the most profound moments come from the simplest of actions. That's the beauty of my life now. I get to live with [that quality] every day. I'm with someone who speaks volumes with how she chooses to live every moment. It's a beautiful thing.
IT: You've quipped that you feel no more pressure than when you're cutting your daughter's fingernails? The heck with center court or a final-set tiebreaker.
AA: It's some of the most pressure when your child is trying to cough up a piece of fruit that they didn't quite swallow. Getting that piece out of their throat is as much pressure as I've ever felt.
IT: So, in the end, this tennis career of yours has been a great ride, hasn't it?
AA: It's been an amazing, amazing ride.
http://www.insidetennis.com/it_img/0906_agassi_main.jpg

varar

12-26-2007, 09:42 AM

Thanks Stephan

Veronique

12-28-2007, 02:52 PM

Don't be left off the bandwagon. 2008 is the year of the Don. Vote here to get him his own forum http://www.menstennisforums.com/showthread.php?p=6347275#post6347275

I have started to think like a loser. My tennis partner has pulled to a three-game lead. I want to ask Andre Agassi what to do. Agassi is the game’s toughest fighter. He is also one of sport’s great philanthropists. He could surely give me advice.

As I am shown into his suite at the Savoy hotel in London, I am wondering how I can ease him into it. Agassi is surrounded by business associates and PRs. He is here to promote his post-tennis career as a developer of top-end property in Idaho. As he stands to greet me, smiling broadly, I see that 15 months into his retirement, he is in peak condition. The physical grace he displayed on court is still in evidence as he leads me through the suite, right up until he walks into the coffee table.

As a tennis player, Agassi had several careers. There was 1980s and early 1990s Agassi, who sported a blond mullet haircut and pastel outfits and railed against the traditionalism of tennis institutions such as Wimbledon, before going on to win there against Goran Ivanisevic in 1992. Then, after injuries took their toll and things went flat for a while, there was the Agassi who re-emerged in 1995 shorn of the hair and the attitude. This Agassi reached the number one ranking for the first time after a 26-match hardcourt winning streak before, again, things began to slide. A wrist injury resurfaced. As did reports that his first marriage, to actress Brooke Shields, was failing. By the end of 1997, Agassi had slipped to 141 in the rankings.

The following year he burst back on to the circuit yet again, a more focused, more conditioned athlete who would wear down his opponents in long, punishing rallies. By 1999, he was back at number one. When his 21-year career finally ended, Agassi had won eight Grand Slams, an Olympic gold medal at Atlanta in 1996 and 17 ATP Masters Series tournaments – more than any other player. He’d also taken more than $31m in prize money. The last time most people saw Agassi was after his defeat to the low-ranked German Benjamin Becker in the third round of the US Open on September 3 2006. Tormented by back and leg pain, he was clearly in agony. Agassi, who had announced that he would retire after the tournament, was given an eight-minute standing ovation at the end of the match.

When I mention this moment, he laughs. How could anything that followed measure up to those eight minutes, I ask. “The motivation was never to ... win,” he says. “The motivation was this process that I really connected to, and that’s why that eight minutes that you’re talking about meant so much to me, because it was a by-product of everything I’ve cared about from my career, which were these connections. If I could go back in time and ... win that tournament, I wouldn’t do it, because that would interfere with what I care for most, which was that eight minutes.”

He takes a long swig of water. Retirement from tennis must have left a gap in his life, I say. “No,” he insists. “I tell you the area where I have struggled the most: not being able to look at my year and understand it in full context of how this year is going to play out. I used to know where I was going to be 10 years in advance. Now I don’t know where I’m going to be in two weeks. And I’m used to that mindset. So that I miss.”

I pour myself tea. People from the next room are milling in the doorway to hear Agassi speak.

“Don’t misunderstand what tennis came with,” he continues. “Tennis came with a lot of drama. It came with a lot of things you don’t necessarily regard as positive.”

Such as? “Physical pain ... You know what’s worse than always having to train to be ready for something? It’s having to rest to be ready for something. Having to sit there while your kids want to go play. I thought I was a moody person until I retired and then I realised that tennis had made me like that.”

So, if winning wasn’t driving him all those years, what was he reaching for? “The worst and the best thing a person can reach for is just a little bit more,” he says. Is he still reaching for that? “Yeah,” he drawls. “But reaching for a little bit more is sometimes the greatest thing in the world and sometimes a curse, because you’re always pushing.”

If not for the injuries, would Agassi still have a shot at it today? He doesn’t hesitate. “No.” Roger Federer is better, he says. “I think he’s the best we’ve ever seen.”

It sounds like life is easier without tennis. Agassi slumps his shoulders. “Way, way easier,” he says. “You don’t have to be so consumed with one thing.”

For as long as he could remember, Agassi had been consumed by that one thing. His father Mike, a former Olympic boxer, had trained baby Andre’s eye by hanging tennis balls above his crib, tying ping-pong rackets to his hand and dangling a balloon in front of him to hit. By the time he was five, Agassi was hitting 5,000 balls a day and practising with future champion Jimmy Connors.

It doesn’t sound like much of a childhood. “Let’s look at it this way,” he says. “Let’s compare me to someone 15 or 20 years older. And their career came at the cost of their immediate family – there was the father who was always travelling and never home with the kids. That’s what I got to do before I had kids. So there is a certain amount of thankfulness that I have for that happening at a time of my life that had the least stakes.”

Agassi now has a new career. He and his second wife Steffi Graf – another of tennis’s greats – are 50-50 partners with Bayview Financial in a luxury condominium project in Tamarack, Idaho. What persuaded him to devote his new-found free time, not to mention some of that prize money, to property development? “This is about an opportunity to connect with people,” he says. “In tennis, that is what you do. You play real hard and ... you affect someone’s life for two hours – this is an opportunity to do that on a much broader scale.”

Property development was not something he had really considered before. He and his wife had initially visited Tamarack looking for a place to “share some traditions as our family grew”. They met the owners, bought a chalet, then decided to back the whole venture.

His business interests have begun in this “organic way” before. He is also a partner in 12 restaurants with San Francisco chef Michael Mina, who once organised a New Year’s eve party for him. “I’ve found myself backing into so many of these things just through relationships,” he says.

Now 37, Agassi was born and lives in Las Vegas but there is more of the California dude than the Vegas high-roller about him. His speech is languid and peppered with references to “connectedness”. Today he wears black cords and a brown casual shirt, open to reveal a leather strap strung with ivory blocks spelling out “Daddy Rocks”, made by six-year-old son Jaden.

Agassi lights up when I ask him about his philanthropic work. He started the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation in 1994 to help at-risk children in southern Nevada. It has since raised $60m and funds a charter school in one of the state’s poorest areas. “What’s the most profound way to affect a child’s life? It’s to educate them, to give them the tools, and then they’ll cope,” he says.

Agassi says the broader mission of the school is to begin a “discussion, not just in our state but in the entire country, about how we should fund national education.”

As a porter sheepishly wheels in a tea trolley, I think it’s almost time to ask Agassi the big question: how does one come back from a three-game deficit? First, I test the ground with a tricky one. How did he overcome something as painful as his divorce to Brooke Shields in 1999 to recover his number one ranking in the same year? “I think it’s the pushing of yourself,” he says after a tense pause. “You’re like, chopping on a tree and you don’t realise how far you’ve got to go, you only care about the next step, you know? I have a lot of that in my nature. Sometimes it’s hard for me to pull out and give you context because at the end of the day, I don’t think that way. I don’t think from 50,000ft. I think at street level. Very focused.”

Does that focus explain his success, then? “And my failures as well, you know. I think I could have got a lot more out of myself at times not putting myself through that pressure. To be better than I was yesterday – that’s something that doesn’t shut off.”

These days, Agassi watches the game a lot but when asked about the possibility of coaching, he says: “I will not get paid for my coaching but I will give it away for free.” Agassi’s walked right into it. He wants me to ask his advice. I explain that my slump is due to psychological factors, as my stroke-play has never been better.

There is an awkward pause. “The question is: how can you make yourself the best you can be?” he says, at last. “And then judge that against what someone else is doing ... I wouldn’t be focused on who is beating you. I’d be focused on why you are getting the least out of yourself.”

As he walks me to the door, he says he has not yet decided if he will stay overnight in London. One of the PRs suggests he should stay to catch a show. I agree. Agassi hands me his mobile phone and tells me to explain to Graf that he won’t be home tonight. I’d like to return his favour but I decline. He needs to learn to manage life without a schedule by himself.

Peter Barber is the FT’s deputy comment editor

.................................................. ......

The Savoy, Royal Opera House Suite
One pot of tea
One tall glass of water
Free for the FT

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2007

varar

12-31-2007, 08:39 AM

Apres Gevorg :-)

kati830728

02-01-2008, 02:10 PM

http://tennisworld.typepad.com/tennisworld/2008/01/tk.html

can someone buy the April issue of Tennis and post the entire interview here?
That would be great.

Do you know about Andre Agassi foundation?
http://www.agassifoundation.org/4x4-Square.jpg

read here:http://www.agassifoundation.org

Andre Agassi
Founder
http://www.agassifoundation.org/aagassi.jpg

Andre Agassi’s 21-year professional tennis career, which included eight grand slam titles, 60 singles titles and an Olympic Gold Medal, came to an end at the U.S. Open in the summer of 2006. But in many ways that final tennis tournament marked much more of a beginning than an end.

Retiring from tennis meant that Agassi would be able to devote even more of his time to The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, which he founded in 1994. Agassi has often said that professional tennis provided him with a steppingstone from which to touch the lives of children in a positive way. The Foundation allows him to do just that.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Brooke Shields split from ex-husband Andre Agassi in 1999, but she still cares about him. And she showed it by buying a couch that he and his wife, fellow tennis star Steffi Graf, designed for Kreiss furniture.

"Brooke is still friends with Andre, and they talk a lot on the phone," says a friend of the Lipstick Jungle star. "She made him happy when she bought a sectional sofa he and Steffi designed for Kreiss. She wanted to show her support for Andre. Brooke has only nice things to say about Andre and Steffi."

Tuesday Feb 15, 2008
Andre Agassi Singlehandedly Defeats Housing Crunch
Back when we were wee lads and read Sport Illustrated religiously, we remember seeing a story about Andre Agassi and his dad. The basic gist was that the elder Agassi, struggling to gain a foothold in the American middle class, fell into some money and had a choice: buy some land in Las Vegas or purchase an automatic tennis ball machine. He chose the latter, only to see the land — which was located on the Strip — increase infinitely in value. But, he said, "I think I got a pretty good return on my investment." Let's just say it got a little dusty in the room where we were reading the article.

http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlny/original/andrego.jpg

Fast-forward 10 years, and the younger Agassi isn't following his father's advice. In the Feb/March issue of Outside's Go, he opens up about his fledgling dreams of becoming a real estate mogul, starting with a condo purchase in Tamarack, Idaho:

"This," [Tamarack] he says, gesturing out at the green and white and blue, "is more important than what I did with the game. We're creating a platform for life here. ... In tennis, there's no coaching, no passing the ball. It's problem solving at its purest. And that's what business is: galvanizing and solving problems."
Presumably, wife Steffi Graf has enough money to buy a ball

kati830728

03-02-2008, 12:01 PM

SIGHTINGS
Andre Agassi and Australian tennis star Lleyton Hewitt, hitting on center court Saturday at the Stacy Darling Center with their children.

Stephan

03-03-2008, 10:20 AM

SIGHTINGS
Andre Agassi and Australian tennis star Lleyton Hewitt, hitting on center court Saturday at the Stacy Darling Center with their children.
it is here
http://www.lvrj.com/news/16160437.html

One Full Day of Inspiration, Motivation and Entertainment that will ignite your Spirit! For the first time ever under one roof see seven of the most prolific communicators of our time. Live and In Person! You will learn from real-world experts who are the best-of-the-best, in an incredibly entertaining environment that empowers you to take action immediately to transform your life forever.

...................................
Motivation
Andre Agassi
Former Professional Tennis Player

http://www.powerwithin.com/filesUpload/speakers/pic1_680.jpg

Andre Agassi ended a 21-year tennis career with his retirement following the U.S. Open in the summer of 2006. His match against Marcos Baghdatis during the tournament is considered one of the most memorable of all time. Agassi has 60 career singles titles including eight Grand Slam titles. Off the court, he has established The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation (AACF) in 1994 to provide recreational and educational opportunities for at-risk boys and girls in Las Vegas. The AACF’s annual fund-raiser, the Grand Slam For Children, has raised more than $70 million over the past 12 years. Agassi also opened a public charter school in Las Vegas in 2001, the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, to improve lives through education and recreation. The school will have its first senior graduating class in the spring of 2009. Since retiring, Agassi has been involved in several business endeavors with his wife, Stefanie Graf, whom he married in 2001.

Former tennis superstar Andre Agassi showed his grand slam style while visiting Vancouver last week, calling the Sea-to-Sky highway to Whistler and the 2010 Olympics "a shocker" after driving it.

Agassi spoke to a crowd of nearly 5,000 at GM Place for "The Power Within" event along with style diva Martha Stewart, music producer Quincy Jones and other speakers.

But don't count on him driving to the winter Olympics despite B.C.'s $600-million highway improvement project.

"I like everything up here but one thing," Agassi said Wednesday about Vancouver. "We drove to Whistler yesterday and - what's up with your highways? That's a shocker! And it was that way a year ago."

Earlier at the event Toronto comedian and emcee James Cunningham also joked about the Whistler highway, calling it "so relaxing" to drive with "a sheer drop off to the sea on one side and guys packing dynamite into rock on the other."
Posted by Bill Tieleman
at 11:41 PM

karenpoon

03-13-2008, 02:17 AM

agassi interview in the april issue of tennis

Almost two years after leaving the sport, tennis icon Andre Agassi has found new challenges as a father and businessman, and admits while he still loves the game, “I don’t feel like a tennis player anymore.” He tells Peter Bodo in an exclusive interview in the April issue of TENNIS Magazine, “When I dig out my racquets because I’ve donated a lesson for charity or something, I’ll look at them and say, ‘Wow, this is what I used to do for a living.’”

Although he did say he still watches a lot of tennis. “We don’t have the television on in the house unless we’re watching something specific, but during the Australian Open, I had it on all the time, tuned to Tennis Channel.”

Interviewed in an empty classroom of the eponymous College Preparatory Academy, the school he founded in Las Vegas to help disadvantaged children, Agassi talks in depth about his life after retirement, his children (with wife Steffi Graf), Roger Federer, drug testing and gambling in tennis as well as his latest sporting adventure — snowboarding.

Read more: Highlights from the article after the cut…

Jaden & Jaz — tennis champs? Asked about how he enjoys playing tennis with his kids, son Jaden, 6, and daughter, Jaz Elle, 4, Agassi told TENNIS Magazine, “Jaz has a longer attention span than Jaden. It’s funny, she looks more like me and acts more like Steffi. Jaden looks like Steff, but he acts more like me. It’s a handful, but that’s part of the fun. When it comes to tennis, I wouldn’t want to interfere or decide for them. I’d be reluctant to put them in an environment where I understood the road ahead and the pitfalls so intimately. That would remove my ability to enjoy and embrace their journey. That’s the root of the only hesitancy I have about tennis.”

Agassi the Dad: As far as being a “typical” parent, Agassi said, “The kids go to school in the neighborhood, so it doesn’t take long to get them there. Then I’ll go and work out and spend the day taking care of business. I often end up waiting in the carpool line at 3 o’clock with everyone else.”

Hitting the slopes: “When I retired, I thought, What is it I want to try after spending 32 years not being able to jump off a diving board because I might derail the game plan? Keeping myself healthy and free of injury was always an issue, even when I was doing everything right.” Agassi discovered the sport of snowboarding while in Tamarack (Agassi and Graf are partners in a condo-hotel at the Tamarack Resort in Central Idaho) with the kids. “I decided I would ski or snowboard, and snowboarding just looked like more fun.”

His notes on Roger: “When Fed hits the forehand up the line, that’s a shot that used to be a risk for me. And it’s an absolute meat-and-potatoes shot for him. That’s a function of the athlete, of his speed and positioning, and his equipment. What I haven’t figured out about Fed is how much of an anomaly he is… The question is, can you teach what Fed does? The only thing I know for sure is that he’s making the game better.”

In the booth at the U.S. Open (2007): “I love to talk about tennis… I also felt last year that I wanted to go back to the Open to pay my respects. The tournament and the fans there gave me so much over 20, 21 years that I felt like I had to go back. But commentary didn’t seem like a platform where you can really peel back the layers. There’s just not enough time to do that. I did enjoy the challenge of trying to get in what might be relevant under those constraints, and like most things, I didn’t feel like I did as well as I might have.”

Drugs and booze: “When it comes to drug testing, I’ll hold tennis up to any sport in the world.”

“I find myself focusing the most on what our sport is doing to make sure that if you’re cheating, you’ll get caught. And that’s where I take refuge. I believe our sport is on the leading edge, pioneering ways to hold players accountable.

Even when I was playing, I was drug tested one year something like 20 times, and I didn’t play as much as many others. If you cheat, it’s not a matter of if you get caught, but when you get caught.” As far as gambling is concerned, he said, “In my years playing, I never saw it or heard of it. And I would hate to see the actions of a few tarnish the sport. I support a zero-tolerance policy on this issue.”

—

Peter Bodo’s interview with Andre Agassi will appear in the April issue of TENNIS magazine.

Have you got a name of any famous pro athletes that can act as role models for kids? Pull the name of Andre Agassi to the top list. Andre Agassi, one of the greatest players in the tennis history sporting a hairstyle with head as smooth as a tennis clay court, had won more than 850 singles matches. He had also won 60 titles, 8 Grand Slams and a 1996 Olympic Gold Medal. Noted as the most remarkable player of his time, Andre Agassi turned pro in 1986. He was still 18 years old when he ranked 4th top tennis player in the world. A model of persistence and now a part of popular culture, Andre Agassi, on and off the court is folklore in tennis and charity works.

The children's extension of life and hope: the projects of Andre Agassi

The nation's progress starts with the children being developed as achievers. With the No Child Left Behind policy of America, Andre Agassi seeks to fulfill his own version of the No Child Left Behind reality. He seeks to supplement the program on his own. Note that all of the programs were carefully handpicked and sustained for long years. The success of Agassi turned out not only focus on his career but ran in parallel with the lives of other children he had welcomed and supported through his foundation. Making this world a better place for children to live, we focus on Andre Agassi and his dreams in progress.

The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation

Andre Kirk Agassi is the founder of the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation. The professional player founded the foundation in 1994. The foundation's mission is to provide educational and recreational opportunities of at-risk children. It has given hope for thousands of children to enhance character and self-esteem to be more successful in their lives. The success of the organization is made possible by the help of volunteers and donors who have willingly and wholeheartedly given their time, money and resources to fulfill the organization's goals. The organization with its limited resources, hand picked their partners and beneficiaries with the belief that supporting limited number of organizations has its greatest impact to developing and supplementing worthy programs to further their missions for at-risk youth assistance.

The Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy

Agassi Prep offers academic programs focus on individualized learning structure with the use of technology in the classroom. It has a very small classroom size but requires parent and community involvement to support the task of character building, motivation, respect and self-discipline. The academy was opened in 2001 serving the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades only at that time. The final campus development was completed in 2007. Agassi Prep is now a K-12 campus. The Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy is a charter school at the heart of Las Vegas.

The Andre Agassi Boys & Girls Club

Created in 1997, the club was designed to provide activities which are models of physical, educational and social growth. It sits on a 25,000 square foot facility complete with a library and a computer laboratory. A teen center was created to help out with the different needs of the club including an indoor club basketball court and three outdoor tennis courts. A large bulk of the foundation's money was directed to the construction, capital improvements and programs of the club. The two most active programs are Team Agassi junior tennis program and Agassi Stars youth basketball program. The aim is to tap their skills and talents to help them obtain college scholarships.

Boys Hope/ Girls Hope

Boys Hope/ Girls Hope serve underprivileged children whose parents or guardians are not capable of providing and caring for their needs. Children between the ages of 9 to 14 with problems on poverty or neglect, drug abuse or whose parents may want to care but are unable to do so, lives in this family-like environment. This is a place they call home. Agassi's boys and girls are being treated like his own children and are being taken cared of by full time staff. Donations for this community go to the food, clothing, medical and dental cost, tuition, recreational, counseling and tutoring needs. Budget disbursements also include other everyday expenses including college scholarships. When families seem to send their children to the street and has every potential to destroy their lives, Agassi picks them up and give them a loving family-like atmosphere in the Boys Hope/ Girls Hope.

Child Haven

Changing the world to a better one, Andre Agassi supported Child Haven. Child Haven opened its arms 24 hours a day to children 3 days to 18 years old who were abused or neglected. They find protection and solace in Child Haven until a safe home is found. Child Haven is located in Clark County.

Class! Publications

Class! Publication is a free teen focus monthly newsletter distributed at Clark County high schools. About 400 to 500 high school students work on its content to give it more appropriate topics for their growing estimated 40,000 current number of readers. The Publication also offers internship programs and three workshops every year. Agassi's foundation supports the cause of the children and is determined to influence the lives of the youth for their personal career development and growth.

Cynthia Bunker and Joy McClenahan Memorial Scholarships

This was named in memory of Andre Agassi's childhood friend Cynthia Bunker. Joy McClenahan was said to be a dedicated volunteer and long time supporter of the organization. The scholarship is intended for those who are enrolled in the College of Fine and Performing Arts in the University of Nevada.

Greater Las Vegas After-School All Stars

The organization aims to provide free programs to children belonging to low-socioeconomic communities. These programs keep children from drugs and other negative influence in life they may get from their immediate environment. The program is designed to coach and teach life skills. Andre Agassi had figured it out. To be productive and an achiever, there is the urgency to help develop the confidence and build the self esteem of these children.

I have a dream foundation

IHAD reaches out to low income communities. IHAD seeks to empower children through long term mentoring, tutoring and enrichment. The mission is to help these "Dreamers" slowly progress in their dreams to being successful individuals. The organization acts as their backbone giving academic support, personal and cultural experience and related recreational activities.

Las Vegas Philharmonic Youth Concert Series

The program is designed for children to appreciate music and arts by being the performers themselves. They performed in a concert like setting in order to experience what it is like to be a performer in a full symphony orchestra.

Las Vegas Sun Camp Fund

A summer camp experience for underprivileged deserving students! This fun, socially enriching program has already benefited children ages 8 to 15 coming from foster care of single parent families since 1970.

Operation School Bell

Children shop for free at Operation School Bell. They choose from racks of new clothing and shoes. They also receive a backpack and personal hygiene kit for free. The cost is yours donors. Thank you for helping these children. The new wardrobe ultimately gives them the confidence and the interest to stay in school.

YMCA of Southern Nevada
YMCA program "Building a Stronger Tomorrow" was supported by Andre Agassi's foundation. The effort was designed to renovate the facility and construct a new playground and outdoor aquatic center. YMCA opens programs to interested applicants whether they are able to pay or not.
Travis Ludlow, Founder of Itsagoodday.org highlights the good things of the world. He has a B.S. degree from Brigham Young University and loves his family. Isn't it time, that we use the internet for good things for the world is his theme. Check out his other articles and website at http://www.itsagoodday.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Travis_Ludlow

Stephan

03-17-2008, 07:59 AM

Look on TV Picture, fans,

Andre sells his house: Some "old" news?
SELLER: Andre Agassi / Steffi Graf
LOCATION: Gilmartin Drive, Tibouron, CA
PRICE: $20,000,000 (sale price)
SIZE: 10,500 square feet (main house), 2,500 square feet (staff house)
DESCRIPTION: (modified from listing agent's website) 3.5 acres of landscaped, park-like grounds; Main house built in 1976, remodeled and expanded from 1988 through 1998. Two pools, three spas, hydrotherapy waterfall, hot-tub and cold tub, steam room, stream, outdoor fireplace, built in barbecue, level lawn for golf practice; Additional detached buildings include guest quarters/office and/or gym, tennis court and cabana, pool bar, four bedroom, four bath staff house with separate gated entry. Property offers 11 bedrooms, eleven full and 2 half baths; separate, contiguous half-acre view lot included in sale.
http://img2.menstennisforums.com/511/Agassi_PICS.jpg
YOUR MAMAS NOTES: Now this is the sort of excess Your Mama has come to expect when considering the mountains of money professional athletes earn nowadays. Children, do not mistake this expectation for some kind of judgement, because Your Mama is not going there with this one. We do not begrudge the tremendous incomes of athletes any more than we do the income of any other stupendously rich person. Mr. Andre Agassi and his lady are a class act all the way and they have earned every penny they have. Their poor bodies are falling apart as proof.

It is said Mr. Agassi wanted to purchase this estate, called "Round Hill," back in the 1990s when he was all tied up with that long-haired Brooke Sheilds lady. But apparently the former Calvin Klein model/ack-tress hated this place and discouraged him from buying. Some years later, Mr. Andre has himself a new wife and family, and the property becomes available again. He snaps it up lickety-split paying a shocking $23,000,000. Paradise found.

However, much as Mr. Andre and Ms. Steffi love and enjoy this property, the busy schedules of he and the missus do not allow them to spend much time. Their financial advisors, accutely aware of the arm and leg it costs to maintain a little-used house, advise them to sell. So only about two years after purchasing, the house goes back on the market for $24,500,000. The listing agents claim there were a number of celebrities and other high-profile folks that came and looked but, "They didn't understand what was there and what could potentially be there." Hmmm. All due respect, that just seems like some realtor-rationalization to Your Mama Maybe these monied looky loos just did not like the house, the location, or the price.

Over the next 3.5 years, the asking price is lowered several times. Then, in mid-2006 the price is lowered to $21,000,000 and a few months later it finds a buyer. The new owner is reportedly San Francisco based hedge fund honcho Stuart Peterson, and the deal is supposed to close the first week in January 2007 for a purchase price of $20,000,000. This figure is substantially less than Mr. Andre purchased the house in 2001. That should tell you something about the annual cost of maintaining this property.

By some accounts, the decor and details of the house are a bit outdated, and this apparently deterred more than a couple potential buyers. But Your Mama thinks it's more likely the maintenance this property requires. We have to wonder why anybody might want or need two swimming pools, three spas and a hot tub, not to mention the cold plunge, a stream, and that hydrotherapy waterfall. Lahwd babies, what in the world is that anyway? It is no wonder this property has a gigantic house for staff. You probably need two full time pool boys just to maintain all the water features on this property.

Now that this property has sold, the Agassi/Graf clan spend the bulk of their newly retired time at their primary residence in Las Vegas where there is a school named after him and where the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation is based. The listing agents over at super brokerage Decker Bullock created a big website for this property, but we expect it won't be online too much longer.

It wasn't the fountain of youth, but a sustained source of strength that helped Andre Agassi craft a career Renaissance at an age when most of his rivals were already retired.

During his inspired run to the 2005 U.S. Open final, a then 35-year-old Andre Agassi revealed his source of inspiration when asked the secret to his success.

"Surround yourself with good people that know how to help you and make good decisions," Agassi said. "And train and work hard."

For nearly two decades Gil Reyes, the man often clad in black looking like the silk suits he wore were ready to burst at the seams from the strain of containing his biceps, was a key member of Agassi's support team.

From box seats in the most prestigious Grand Slam stadiums in the world to side-by-side seats on planes embarking on countless flights to tournament sites to backyard barbecues to Christmas mornings watching the former World No. 1 sprint up and down the hill near his home until his legs and lungs felt on the verge of exploding, Reyes has been in Agassi's corner throughout his career and has been astounded by what the two friends who dared to dream big achieved together.

Pumping iron strengthened Agassi's position as a perennial top 10 power as he joined Rod Laver as the only man to win five Grand Slam titles after celebrating his 29th birthday.

Physical fitness was a key component to Agassi's career Renaissance. The rigorous strength and conditioning program Agassi adhered to under the guidance of Reyes helped him transform himself from a scrawny 145-pound teenager whose shoulder-length streaked hair was the defining characteristic of his slender frame to a chiseled 173-pound package of power. Agassi attributes the nearly 30 pounds of muscle mass he's added over the years to his training with Reyes, the former strength and conditioning trainer for the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. A teenage Agassi walked into the weight room and asked Reyes for guidance launching one of the longest and most successful partnerships in tennis.

Born in East L.A. Reyes acquired his work ethic from his parents. His father was a mechanic at a chemical plant and his mother maintained a tight-knit family. It was the common willingness to tough it out the training room trenches that bonded Agassi and Reyes as every rep and every run brought both one step closer toward achieving their aims and fulfilling a pact the pair made at the start of their partnership.

"I met Andre when he was a teenager and we talked about dreams and wishes and I said 'Hey, if we're gonna do this then we're gonna lock arms and close ranks and we're gonna go the distance,' " Reyes remembers. "I had a saying we would often refer to: when you talk about achieving your dreams and wishes make sure your backbone is as busy as your wishbone. I said that to Andre and he said "I'm all in." And you know where we come from in Vegas when you say "all in" that really means something — that's a commitment, there's no turning back at that point."

Reyes was much more than a fitness trainer for Agassi, he has been a friend, advisor and mentor, a man so influential Agassi named his son, Jaden Gil, in honor of Reyes. A philosophical man, Reyes says his greatest reward for working with the eight-time Grand Slam champion was not always the glint of the silver title trophies, it's the impact Agassi had on people that resonates with Reyes the most.

"I'll tell you a quick story," Reyes said. "We had tasted defeat at Roland Garros many times and it was very painful and cut very deep and as I was sitting there in the stadium I would see these beautifully-dressed women and elegantly dressed men in tailored suits smiling and applauding the French Open champion. But even after all those painful losses, Andre's attitude was never 'Oh, poor me.' It was always 'Let's get back to work and come back again next year.' But on June 6, 1999 when Andre was down two sets to none and came back to win Roland Garros for the first time, I still remember looking around me and seeing some of the same fans who were smiling during past matches and now all of sudden many of them were sobbing and crying because what Andre achieved had touched them so deeply. Because he had been knocked down so many times but got back up and kept fighting until he came back and won. And as I saw that I said to myself 'I'll be darned, this kid has worked his way into their hearts. He has really touched people.' "

Two years after Agassi's retirement, Reyes is now back in the game. The long-time trainer has signed on with adidas as a member of its coaching team. Adidas director of global tennis marketing Jim Latham created the concept of assembling a coaching and training team to support adidas top players and hired highly-respected coach Sven Groeneveld, who has coached Tommy Haas and Mary Pierce in the past, to head the initiative. The program paid immediate dividends as Groeneveld helped coach Ana Ivanovic to the French Open final last year. He has continued working with Ivanovic and spent some time coaching Sania Mirza at Indian Wells this week. Reyes, whose role will be working with the players on training and preparation, made his adidas debut at this week's Pacific Life Open. Tennis Week caught up with the man in black for this interview.

Tennis Week: Gil how did your new partnership with adidas come about?

Gil Reyes: It was an interesting situation that led to this partnership. A gentleman named Jim Latham, who is the director of global tennis marketing for adidas, had this vision of assembling an adidas team. Jim Latham is the point of reference for me in having the vision to build this program. Sven Groeneveld, who as you know is a very highly respected coach, is my colleague on the adidas team. Sven is on the actual tennis side of the team in terms of the X's and O's and practices and providing assistance for the players and coaches and families. Sven has been involved with the program on the tennis side for some time whereas I am involved in the training and preparation side. It's a vision of such importance in my eyes because Jim Latham always felt on the tour that somebody needed to be there for the next wave of young players coming up. There is a sociology on the tour that cannot be ignored or denied. Usually, a young person in their late teens comes on the tour with a parent, most commonly a dad, as the coach and ultimate decision maker and the players tend to surround themselves with a hitting partner and coach and that's it. There's no institutional accountability. The agents are the agents: they still have the career incentive to provide the athlete with the proper career counseling and advice. Having said that, it still ignores the sociology of the young person who has to make practice, match, training and nutritional decisions either at the mercy, or let's say the behest, of a singular entity. And to be perfectly honest, there's nothing wrong with that and I don't think it's necessarily bad, but I believe it's very, very difficult for a young athlete who doesn't have years of experience on tour, to even be aware of all those factors let alone make those decisions. So the idea of assembling people who have been in the trenches and out on the tour for years and years and can draw upon this experience in working with these young athletes was very inspiring and appealing to me and, importantly, something I believe is valuable to the players.

Tennis Week: So in hiring you to join the team, adidas is clearly tapping into your 20 years of knowledge and experience working with Andre and counting on you to provide very practical, experienced advice in terms of training and nutrition?

Gil Reyes: When I met and listened to Jim Latham it became clear to me that adidas cares about its athletes and is making every effort to give its athletes the best support system possible. In my case, the 20 years I spent with Andre gave me the opportunity to gain so much experience in tennis and I think Jim Latham felt there are many trainers and athletes out there who can tap into my experiences with Andre. I'm still a student, Richard, to this day, I'm still a student and I'm still learning. My ego is easily and very quickly put aside, which is important, and throughout my time working with Andre and to this day I never hesitate to pick up the phone and call experts in the field and ask "What does your research say about this, biomechanically and nutritionally?" And through those years of research and searching for answers the network grew and grew and grew and pretty soon Andre became the consummate professional tennis player. I truly believe Andre Agassi is a model for tennis players. Andre is a model in terms of how you saw a young person evolve into a consummate person in conduct, preparation and philosophy. Whenever I talk about the depth and breadth of Andre's career I always like saying this: you saw Andre Agassi play matches against John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg and you also saw Andre play matches against Lleyton Hewitt, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Roddick. To play at such a high level against players of those generations really puts it into perspective.

Tennis Week: It reminds me a little bit of Ali in boxing where he fought Liston and Patterson early on and then you go right through the list of Frazier, Foreman, Norton and up through Larry Holmes. There are very few elite athletes who sustain careers at that level for that long.

Gil Reyes: Exactly. It wasn't novelty and that in itself puts Andre in a very, very small, unique and select company and while I enjoy any reference I get through my relationship with Andre the fact is it all goes back to Andre. What we committed to doing was always doing our best. Andre trusts me to do my job and as I told him from our first day together "Andre, if I don't know the answer, I will find it." When we started out on the plane ride to a tournament we would be sitting there before take off and shake hands and say to each other "Here we go. Everything we could do to prepare, we've done." Everything that was possible to do to be fully prepared to play was done before we arrived at the tournament.

Tennis Week: When you look at young players before a match now, what signs do you look for to see if that player is prepared?

Gil Reyes: When the kids who are 18, 19 and 20 years old are about to play a Grand Slam final or a big Grand Slam match, I look at them as I am watching and I wonder if anyone spoke to this young athlete about the nerves they will feel and how to combat those nerves so they don't become cramps. I wonder if anyone spoke to them the day and night before about their rest and sleep schedule, I wonder did anyone discuss their nutrition in terms of the meal the night before and when and what to eat the day of the match? For instance, if you have turkey for dinner, turkey contains tryptophan and most of us have seen our uncles take a long nap on the couch after a big turkey dinner at Thanksgiving because tryptophan in the turkey if not inducing sleep can certainly enhance our inclination toward sleep. I wonder if anyone mentions these things to the young players, particularly nerves. For some players discussing nerves is like a when a pitcher has a no-hitter going in baseball and his teammates don't mention it out of superstition, but we've all seen how nerves can play a part in tennis matches. I wonder if anyone is teaching these kids how to relax the day before a match and actually during a match so they can perform to the best of their ability. Tennis is such a specialists' sport now and players can play with enormous topspin so at Roland Garros the ball is jumping like crazy and you're hitting almost everything at or above shoulder level but then you have to make the transition to grass where you're hitting everything either below waist level or sometimes below knee level. I wonder if anyone has helped these young players prepare for these situations. So this is where adidas has the vision to realize everyone has a trainer, but what you need is someone with years and years of experience who has been through these situations. In tennis, the athlete is out there alone and so when Jim Latham approached me with this concept that can be realized through a team-orientated support system I immediately embraced it and signed on and had my first experience working with this team at the Pacific Life Open.

Tennis Week: What will your tournament schedule be with adidas? Will you travel as often as you did with Andre?

Gil Reyes: It's to be determined and here's why: sometimes I saw the benefit of the work we did on court at Indian Wells, but then I also see the work we can do at the training center I have here in Las Vegas and that is also a place and time where we can do very productive work. The program Andre and I developed was developed by plan and a little bit by accident to be honest. Andre and I embraced a philosophy: "plan your work and work your plan." And what Andre developed is the courage, and I don't use that word courage loosely, to know when he needed to shut down at times to prepare his body for tournaments. Because tennis is the only sport I can think of with virtually no offseason and sometimes the better you play you almost penalize yourself because the more you win the less training time you have to prepare. So we kind of stumbled on the idea that sometimes it's beneficial if the athlete says "I'm struggling with my footwork" or "My stamina isn't as good as it should be" and then you train accordingly to prepare.

Tennis Week: I can remember Andre saying in many press conferences "I'll never be able to hit a tennis ball as well as I hit it now, but I believe I can get fitter, faster and stronger."

Gil Reyes: Exactly. That's exactly it. And you saw the work Andre put into his training reflected on his performance on court. Andre Agassi won the Australian Open four times and that meant he spent the whole month of December training as hard as he could train. Many players might think "December, that's Christmas, I've been traveling all year I need to be home with my family at Christmas." But Andre said "We're home. We're in Vegas, let's get to work." And while everyone else was enjoying their Christmas, Andre would be running the hills.

Tennis Week: When they film the Andre Agassi story I hope they capture the runs up Magic Mountain accurately.

Gil Reyes: For the sake of clarity and accuracy Richard — and realize there's a little bit of drama as well — I can honestly tell you I had tears in my eyes during some of those times. You would see families getting into their cars with their kids carrying presents and here's Andre running up and down the hill and you would hear breathing and laboring and you'd hear his lungs screaming at times. I would be watching these families going to their Christmas parties and seeing Andre run into his lungs were screaming and I would say "What makes you go man?" What makes this man this man tick? But sure enough we show up in Australia and Andre would request day matches in the Melbourne heat because he was so fit and he knew all that work he had down in December would pay dividends in January. Andre and Rod Laver hold the record for most Grand Slam titles won after age 29 so there's a lot to learn from him. Maybe not everything was right and not everything was perfect and sure there was pain and we can't ignore the pain, but there was always a plan.

Tennis Week: What plan did you two establish that from the early days when you started together?

Gil Reyes: I met Andre when he was a teenager and we talked about dreams and wishes and I said "Hey, if we're gonna do this then we're gonna lock arms and close ranks and we're gonna go the distance." I had a saying we would often refer to: when you talk about achieving your dreams and wishes make sure your backbone is as busy as your wishbone. I said that to Andre and he said "I'm all in." And you know where we come from in Vegas when you say "all in" that really means something — that's a commitment, there's no turning back at that point.

Tennis Week: John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach, said "I believe ability can take you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there." I often think of that saying when thinking of you and Andre. Obviously with Andre you had a player with immense character qualities, but can you help a player connect with character they may have within or is character something you have or not? In other words can you build character?

Gil Reyes: I don't believe you can build character. I believe you can identify the qualities and characteristics someone has and build on that. I'm often asked about Andre's greatness as a player and I always say "Don't ask me about his greatness, ask me about his goodness — the goodness in his heart and his thoughts." And that's something you hope these young athletes have in their lives as they pursue their own paths and go the distance in their own careers and I hope they have someone who loves them as much as I love Andre. Look, tennis is a great and beautiful sport, but professional tennis is a tough, tough career. The career and business aspect of it is very tough and takes guts. Character is obviously a plus, but I don't believe you can teach character. A reason so many people respect Andre is because Andre believes you can't earn respect unless you know how to give respect first. And what Andre understood is the guy sitting with his kids in the very last seat at the top of the stadium worked just as hard to pay for the worst seat in the house as the guy sitting in the luxury suite. Remember Andre's last match at the U.S. Open when the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium gave Andre such an enormous ovation? While I was at Indian Wells this week I was told David Nalbandian was playing on another court and when Andre's match ended and he heard the ovation, I was told David Nalbandian put his racquet down and applauded as did other players. That's the type of respect the players had. Moments after Andre's last match, some members of the media asked me "You must be proud of the way the tennis fans love Andre?" And I replied: "I'm more proud of the way Andre loves them back." Being at Indian Wells, my first tournament after a few years away from the tour, the most rewarding thing to hear is how much people admire and respect what Andre did. Tournament staff ranging from security guards to the busboys at the players' cafeteria to the ticket takers to the locker room attendants were coming up to me saying how much they miss Andre and how much they appreciated the class and respect he showed everyone. Don't get me wrong: I like looking up and seeing the eight Grand Slam trophies and Olympic gold medal, but hearing how people still talk about Andre and how respectful and what a good man he is makes me so proud and fulfilled and happy. I was talking to Andre this morning and as I discussed my working with adidas he was quick to say "anything you need let me know." Imagine the impact and influence he can have hitting and talking to some of these young players. We like to say "Education is inspiration, information and application." And Andre has been beautiful in his support and saying "Let me know if I can help you. Let's go work out."

Tennis Week: Last question: my friend ran into you at Indian Wells and was surprised to see you wearing a red adidas shirt. We all know you as the man in black so what's up with the red? The thought of you wearing anything other than black is like seeing Popeye swap spinach for Brussels sprouts.

Gil Reyes: (laughs) It was a one day only event: I didn't have clean laundry that day. Believe me, I still wear my black only now my black proudly comes with the three stripes of adidas. I'm not being commercial here, I truly mean this, because after 20 years on the road I can say that it was not my first choice to get back into tennis. But when Mr. Latham and Sven Groeneveld sahred the vision and concept of this initiative, I was so inspired I couldn't wait to begin and get right back into tennis. I started out with Andre when he was a young man and now to work with young players again and to have Andre express his support and say "how can I help?" I really feel like the circle is complete and I'm excited to be a part of this team adidas has assembled.

Tennis super stars Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf have found ways to keep themselves busy since ending their playing careers. Tuesday, they made an appearance at the World Market Center.

The duo unveiled an update to their successful furniture line which first appeared last year.

"We weren't sure what we were going to think of it once we did do it, but as we look back over the last years and as we've gone through these last few years, it's been something we've truly enjoyed," said Agassi.

Agassi and Graf helped design the pieces which are meant to reflect their active lifestyle.

Former American tennis ace Andre Agassi slipped into Queenstown yesterday for a few days of rest and recreation.

One of the greats of the sport, and the winner of eight Grand Slams, Agassi, 38, was not accompanied by his wife, Steffi Graf, or their two children, Jaden Gil, six, and Jaz Elle, four, when he touched down at the resort's airport yesterday.

Last night the former world No.1, a native of Las Vegas, was spied at a central Queenstown restaurant with a male friend.

The star was polite when asked to pose for a photo and seemed surprised that he was recognised.

Sorana Cirstea will make her Olympic debut in Beijing next week, but has already had an invaluable Olympic experience courtesy of a pair of gold medalists: Andre Agassi and wife Steffi Graf.
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The 18-year-old Romanian spent nearly two weeks in Las Vegas training with Agassi's close friend and personal trainer, Gil Reyes, and hit with both Agassi and Graf on Agassi's court. The 57th-ranked Cirstea has a clothing and shoe contract with adidas, which is also endorsed by Agassi and Graf. Reyes is now a member of adidas' coaching team and works with several adidas-sponsored players.

The championship couple left quite ain impact on Cirstea.

"It was the most impressive moment for me," Cirstea told the Romanian media. "Steffi was my idol growing up and I got to play on Andre Agassi's private court and see his Olympic gold medal. They are two extraordinary people. They will always be in my heart."

Stephan

08-26-2008, 12:22 PM

second US Open is without Andre...
he retired in August 2006

ON THIS DATE

August 26, 1986: 16-year-old Andre Agassi played vs. Jeremy Bates in his U.S. Open debut.

Stephan

09-06-2008, 01:04 AM

Do you know how much the signed by Andre ball costs?
http://racquetdepot.com/images/large/andre_agassi_single_picture_100-001-003.jpg

This unique piece of memorabilia comes with a Signed Tennis Ball, a plaque with player info and an 8 x 10 Glossy Photo.

Ace Authentic uses the highest quality framing to enhance the beautiful piece. Comes with an Ace Authentic Hologram and Certificate of Authenticity to protect your investment.

The frame is solid wood with a mahogany finish.

Plaque contains the following career highlights:
Grand Slam Champion
60 Singles Titles
8 Grand Slam Titles
101 Weeks Ranked #1
Only Player To Be Ranked In The Top 10 In Three Different Decades

Dimensions: 15 1/2" x 25 3/4" x 3 1/4"
Item #: 100-001-003

Note: International shipping will incure a $250 shipping charge.

Stephan

09-23-2008, 01:43 PM

Bob Costas Joins as Master of Ceremonies for the 23rd Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner to Benefit The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis - September 22nd in New York City

NEW YORK, July 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Sports luminaries and philanthropy icons will be recognized when they gather at the 23rd Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner on Monday, September 22, at New York's Waldorf=Astoria Hotel. This year, Bob Costas has been named the Master of Ceremonies, for the event which benefits the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, a nonprofit organization that serves as the national fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, the world's largest, most comprehensive spinal cord injury research center.

-- Jerry Rice -- all-time leader in every major statistical category for wide receivers, was selected to the Pro Bowl 13 times (1986-1996, 1998, 2002) and named All-Pro 10 times in his 20 NFL seasons

-- Scottie Pippen -- seven-time NBA All Star and one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history who was integral in leading the Chicago Bulls, together with Michael Jordan, to six NBA championships

-- Joe Gibbs -- Hall of Fame NFL coach and NASCAR Championship team owner. Was the 20th and 26th head coach in the history of the Washington Redskins.

-- Helio Castroneves -- one of the top drivers in North American open- wheel racing. Winner of the Indianapolis 500 in both 2001 and 2002.

-- Richard "Goose" Gossage -- former New York Yankees pitcher who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in July 2008

-- Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini -- World Boxing Association lightweight champion for two years in the 1980s

-- Angelo Dundee -- boxing cornerman who has worked with 15 world boxing champions, including Muh

Stephan

10-01-2008, 10:36 AM

Andre Agassi: His 10 Greatest Achievements
Dev Ashish reviews the illustrious career of Andre Agassi to list ten of his greatest achievements in tennis history.
by Dev Ashish (Member)
13 477 reads
Editorial
September 23, 2008

Andre Agassi has been one of the legendary players in the history of tennis. Throughout his career, he has never disappointed tennis fans by displaying some fantastic skill. In this article, we go down history lane to look at his major sporting accomplishments.

Wimbledon, 1992
Agassi's path to the finals included wins over three-time champion Boris Becker and another former three-time winner, John McEnroe, in quarters and semis.

That set up an intriguing championship match with hard-serving Goran Ivanisevic, who was appearing in his first Grand Slam final. Agassi entered his fourth Grand Slam title match as the underdog to the eighth-ranked Croat, who was coming off consecutive victories over Ivan Lendl, Stefan Edberg and Pete Sampras.

Agassi had survived 37 of Ivanisevic's aces to become the lowest seed (12) ever to become champion in a classic five-setter. Agassi joined countrymen Stan Smith (1972), Arthur Ashe (1975), Jimmy Connors (1974, '82) and John McEnroe (1981, '83-84) to win the prestigious Wimbledon title in the Open Era (since 1968).

Davis Cup
Agassi holds an impressive 30-6 career record and helping the U.S. win their last three titles (1990, 1992 and 1995). He also was a member of the runner-up squad in 1991.

Agassi's 30 singles wins is second all-time in U.S. history behind John McEnroe's 41, and his 35 singles matches played is the third-most in U.S. history, trailing only McEnroe (49) and Vic Seixas (36).

From 1991-98, he tied a U.S. Davis Cup record by winning 16 consecutive singles matches, a feat first accomplished by the great Bill Tilden from 1920-26.

Olympic Gold, Atlanta, 1996
Agassi became the first American man to capture an Olympic gold medal in singles since Vincent Richards in 1924, when he defeated Sergi Bruguera from Spain in straight sets.

Three years later, he would win the Roland Garros title in Paris and by doing so, become the first man ever to win all four Grand Slam singles titles and an Olympic gold medal.

17 ATP Masters Series Titles
Of Agassi's 60 career titles, which ranks him No. 7 on the Open Era list, a record 17 have come in ATP Masters Series tournaments.

Over a 10-year span (from 1994-2003), Agassi won at least one ATP Masters Series title in eight different years.

Agassi is the only player to win seven different ATP Masters Series tournaments, having won six times in Miami (Key Biscayne), three in Canada (Toronto/Montreal) and Cincinnati, twice in Paris and once each in Indian Wells, Rome and Madrid.

The only events he has not won in four attempts (each) are in Monte Carlo and Hamburg.

The Grand Slam, Roland Garros 1999
The Grand Slam title that eluded Agassi in 10 previous visits to Roland Garros was the one many expected the American to have captured earlier in his career.

Again, Agassi came into his third Roland Garros final as the favorite, ranked No. 14 against the No.-100 ranked Medvedev. The 24-year-old Ukraine native won the opening two sets 6-1, 6-2 in 53 minutes and appeared headed to his first Grand Slam title.

Agassi roared back in style to take the next three sets 6-4, 6-3, 6-4, and become the fifth man in the history of the sport to join the Grand Slam club (winning all four major titles) of Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver and Roy Emerson.

The Comeback
In 1997, Agassi had dropped to No. 141. He finished at No. 122, his lowest ranking as a pro. But in 1998, he made the biggest one-year jump into the Top 10 in the history of the ATP Rankings (since 1973), climbing from 122 to No. 6.

He led the ATP circuit with 10 finals, winning five titles and he only lost one opening round match in 22 tournaments. That year, he was voted the ATP Most Improved Player of the Year.

1999 turned out to be Agassi's year, as he went on to win Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros and the US Open; he also reached the Wimbledon final. He captured five titles and was runner-up in three others en route to finishing as the year-end No. 1 for the first time at age 29.

In May 2003, Agassi climbed to No. 1, becoming the oldest player (33 years, 13 days) to hold the world's top spot.
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Four Consecutive Grand Slam Finals (1999-2000)
Agassi had a dream run beginning with Roland Garros title in 1999 and went on to reach the next three Grand Slam finals, reaching the title match at Wimbledon and winning titles at the US Open and the Australian Open in 2000. During that stretch, Agassi won 27 of 28 matches, with his only loss coming to longtime rival Pete Sampras at the All England Club.

It was fitting that "Rocket" Rod Laver presented Agassi the Musketeers Cup trophy in Paris, since the Aussie was the last man to reach four consecutive Grand Slam finals.

During Agassi's run of Grand Slam finals, he defeated at least one former Grand Slam champion in each tournament.

Four Australian Open Titles
The only Grand Slam tournament to elude him during the first eight years of his career was the Australian Open.

But in 1995, Agassi displayed flawless tennis throughout the fortnight, losing only one set in seven matches, against top-ranked Sampras in the final to become the first player to win the Australian Open title in his first appearance since Johan Kriek in 1981.

In 2000, he began his stretch of three consecutive titles by defeating Sampras in the semifinals in five sets and Yevgeny Kafelnikov in four sets in the final.

In 2001, he outlasted local favorite Patrick Rafter in another five-set semifinal before taking out Frenchman Arnaud Clement in the final.

A wrist injury kept him out in 2002 but he returned the following year as strong as ever, dropping only one set during the tournament, to crush Rainer Schuettler 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 in the final.

Agassi joined Aussie Hall of Famers Roy Emerson (six), Jack Crawford (four) and Ken Rosewall (four) as the only players who have won at least four Australian singles championships in tournament history with a 44-4 record.

Longevity: ATP Top 10 for 16 years
Of the 94 players who have finished in the Top 10 since the inception of the ATP Rankings in 1973, Agassi is the only player to rank in the Top 10 in three different decades (1988-2002 except for ’93 and ‘97). Jimmy Connors is the only other player to finish in the Top 10 for 16 consecutive years from 1973-88.

Along with his Top 10 consistency, Agassi is among an elite group of players who have ranked at least 100 weeks at No. 1 during their career: Pete Sampras (286), Ivan Lendl (270), Connors (268), John McEnroe (170), Roger Federer (126), Bjorn Borg (109), and Agassi (101). Agassi's 60 career titles have come over 20 years (from 1987-2005, except 1996).

US Open, 1994
In 1994, Agassi entered the US Open unseeded for the first time since he was 17. On his way to the final, he played some incredible tennis, defeating Wayne Ferreira, Michael Chang, and Todd Martin to beat No. 4 seed Michael Stich in the finals.

Agassi set a record by defeating five seeds en route to his second Grand Slam title and he became the first unseeded player to win the U.S. crown since Aussie Fred Stolle in 1966.

In 1999, No. 2 seed Agassi rallied from a 1-2 sets deficit against seventh-ranked Todd Martin to win 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 and captured his second US Open title. This marked the first time a player rallied from a 1-2 deficit in an Open final since John Newcombe in 1973.
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Besides being a champion player, Agassi is perhaps the most charitable athlete of his generation and was awarded the ATP Arthur Ashe Humanitarian award in 1995 for his efforts to help disadvantaged youth.

Personally, I would count marrying Brooke Shields as a major off-court accomplishment too.

Stephan

10-01-2008, 10:49 AM

Hiscox serves it up to Agassi
AMY SLESSOR
30/09/2008 9:33:00 AM
HAVE you ever imagined yourself playing one of the greats in your particular sport and actually beating that legend sportsperson?
Well that's exactly what happened to Todd Hiscox, son of Inverell Tennis Club's head coach Shane.

And this time he wasn't imagining it.
http://inverell.yourguide.com.au/multimedia/images/full/377515.jpg
RUBBING SHOULDERS: Tennis legend Andre Agassi and Todd Hiscox, son of Inverell Tennis Club’s head coach Shane Hiscox after the match.

Last week, the Andre Agassi Charity Foundation hosted a fundraising special event in New York where celebrities including movie stars and business people attended a picnic day at one of his mansion properties.

Todd is a former number one Australian junior who has spent the last few years playing college tennis in the USA while completing his business degree.

He now works for a well-known tennis coaching business in New York.

Todd's dad said he was asked to attend the celebrity event with his employer.

"Imagine your boss going up to you and telling you that you're playing an exhibition match against Andre Agassi at a US$50,000 a person function.

"After picking up his jaw, Todd was stoked to think that this once in a lifetime opportunity had happened to him.

So he played Agassi and in front of a crowd of celebrities he won!

" Within minutes of the win, he was on his mobile to me and said, dad you're not going to believe this, but I just played arguably one of the greatest tennis players ever, and I beat him.

"Not only that, in the process I 'aced' the greatest returner of the ball that tennis has ever seen.

"I'm going to remember this forever."

Of course Hiscox was very impressed with his son and couldn't believe his success.

"It is very exciting and I am so proud of him, but I am also a bit jealous at the same time.

"Not many people could say they beat Andre Agassi in a game of tennis."

Stephan

10-05-2008, 06:59 PM

Is it true, fans? Just found in the web...

Lleyton Hewitt asks Andre Agassi for help?

Former no. 1 tennis player in the world Lleyton Hewitt appointed Andre Agassi coach with the aim of coming back to the top ten after a poor 2008 season start.
Lleyton Hewitt, who's best result in the season is quarter-finals at the last Australian Open, is about to fall down in the world ranking and stop being a top-seeded for the upcoming two Grand Slams (the French Open and Wimbledon) after being ousted from ATP Tennis Channel Open; thus, he was the defending champion for he won in 2007.

Yet, this early, unexpected defeat made 27-year-old tennis player to seek Andre Agassi to become his coach for the next AMS Indian Wells and Miami.

"I've always admired Agassi for the way he planned everything since we started working. We have a goal for everything we did in the practice, the intensity was amazing", Hewitt said to paper "The Australian".

"For me, it was not only a great chance to work with one of the greatest tennis player ever, but also a chance to talk about my game and how to play tennis now", he added.

Working with fellow Tony Roche, who previously coached Ivan Lendl, Patrick Rafter and Roger Federer, hasn't born fruit, but Hewitt hopes to change his reality soon.

Stephan

10-05-2008, 09:45 PM

Is it true, fans? Just found in the web...

Lleyton Hewitt asks Andre Agassi for help?

... but Hewitt hopes to change his reality soon.

they said that it is old news,
i did not hear on this...
does somebody know waht is really goes on?
what Andre answered to Hewitt?

In the 12 years that our hometown world tennis champion Andre Agassi has organized his annual Grand Slam for Children’s charities benefit in Las Vegas, he has raised a staggering $70 million. Now comes the 13th this weekend, and everybody is hoping, despite the financial downward spiral of global economic markets, it will be yet another lucky winner.

The Killers, shown playing Pure at Caesars Palace during a Summer Surprise Series appearance, is on the bill for the Agassi Grand Slam for Children.

To ensure he’s still serving up aces, Andre and his Grammy Award-winning producer, composer and musical director David Foster have lined up a stellar starring cast for tomorrow’s (Saturday) show in new smaller space at the Wynn resort casino.

Rocker Rod Stewart and singer Sheryl Crow are making “encore” appearances at the Children’s Grand Slam, while smash-hit rockers The Killers join comedy king David Spade for their debuts. Previous stars who’ve rushed to support Andre have included everybody from Barbra Streisand to Elton John to Usher, who made headlines one year for dancing on the audience tabletops.

“I’m thrilled to have so many amazing performers donate their talents to help us help children,” said Andre. “This year we are at Wynn Las Vegas for the first time and it offers a first-class intimate experience for our guests. The event is sure to be a hit at this beautiful venue.

“We look forward to celebrating with our partners what we have accomplished in Las Vegas with the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy and our future efforts to transform public education for underserved children nationwide.”

Steve Wynn’s president, Andrew Pascal, commented: “Everyone at Wynn is delighted to host such a memorable experience and support this very important cause. We are proud to partner for the Grand Slam for Children and have great respect and admiration for our friends at Andre’s charitable foundation.”

By 'Duk
http://f3.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_mlb_experts__16/ept_sports_mlb_experts-623357660-1228856599.jpg?ymYEHdAD85cmdStR
Of all the possible attendees, a tennis great is one of the last people you'd think you'd see at baseball's winter meetings. Yet there was Andre Agassi in a Bellagio ballroom on Tuesday morning, attending a press conference announcing the launch of the Torii Hunter Project, an education initiative that will help students in Anaheim, Pine Bluff, Ark., Minneapolis and at Agassi's school in Las Vegas.

As Hunter was surrounded by media asking about K-Rod's future, Agassi politely stood by and watched. Of course, that seemed as good a time as any to ask Agassi — who's incredibly friendly and easy to talk to, I might add — about his interest in all things baseball. (If you think I just did this interview because I've always been interested in talking with Agassi, you'd be right.)

Big League Stew: First question is an obvious one. Are you a big baseball fan?

Andre Agassi: My son has gotten me way into it, because he loves it so much and it's become a great point of connection between us. You know, I'm from Vegas, so we enjoy whatever team we're getting the best line on right now. Seriously, we enjoy watching baseball in our house and while we don't have a team here, I enjoy watching it because it's an individual sport disguised as a team sport. I can identify with that.

BLS: That's a pretty interesting take.

AA: Yeah, every other sport you can argue, ‘Well, if he hadn't missed that tackle, he wouldn't have had to kick a field goal to win." But there's this moment in time in baseball when it's all on you. I really respect and appreciate that. What you do for yourself also helps the team. It's the best of both worlds.

BLS: As a native, do you think Las Vegas could ever have a Major League team?

AA: I don't know. We're sort of a ‘tweener town. Real franchises seem to work in huge cities that have a lot of people or small cities that don't have a huge competition for entertainment. We're sort of an in-between. We're not that huge, but there's a ton of entertainment here. There's so much entertainment that we'd probably treat a ballgame like we would a Las Vegas show and I'm not sure that's sustainable.

BLS: What major league team did you support growing up?

AA: I'd say I probably spent most of my life as a Red Sox fan if I had to point to any team. I just always connected with them. I lived and died with the curse they had for so many years. There was a story to it and what's transpired over the past few years with all the championships has pulled me in even more.

BLS: I was trying to think about the connections you've had with baseball and the first one I thought about was when you were in Bo Jackson's commercial saying "Bo knows tennis."

AA: Yeah, that sounds right.

BLS: I know that was about a thousand commercials ago. You've probably forgotten.

AA: No, I do remember (laughing). That was a fun one.

BLS: Have you formed a lot of friendships with baseball players over the years?

AA: I've been friends with Ken Griffey, Jr. for awhile now. We were together one time for a Visa commercial and now we play golf together whenever he comes to town. I've been friends with (fellow Las Vegas resident) Greg Maddux, too. He's been a great person in the community and it's been fun to follow his great career.

BLS: When did you first meet Torii Hunter?

AA: Today, actually. I knew his wife had been to my school and his organization reached out to us to see if there was a way we could connect and, as a result, a lot of kids benefited. He's an amazing guy and he's really interested in and committed to helping people. You just look at somebody and you can tell, you know?

BLS: Final question, since you said you like a good baseball line: If I have $10 and I want to go put it on a 2009 World Series bet, which team should I put it on?

AA: The World Series a year from now? That's way too hard to predict. I'll have to go with Torii and the Angels. Torii's going to come through.

first ... i got my hopes up that the a's signed agassi
2. Posted by Britney Tue Dec 09, 2008 6:42 pm EST

Such a cuttie. His photos were seen at milllionaire persoanals site ******* W e a l t h y D a t e r. c o m****last week. It is said he is already in relationship with a young beautiful woman on that site now. ?☆☆☆

Stephan

12-26-2008, 04:56 PM

MLB WINTER MEETINGS

December 9, 2008

Andre Agassi

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

THE MODERATOR: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for joining us for today's press conference. A little over a year ago, the Angels organization signed one of the game's premier players. In a short period of time, the Angels have come to understand, learn and understand, that for all his accomplishments on the field, Torii Hunter continues to make his greatest impact off the field.
We're here this morning to introduce the Torii Hunter Project, the program in partnership with the Heart of a Champion Foundation and in conjunction with the Angels Baseball Foundation as an educational initiative to bring character, enrichment and college opportunities to students in Anaheim; Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Las Vegas; and Minneapolis.
The initiative will kick off next month with the deployment of the Heart of a Champion character program to select middle and junior high schools in the June announcement of 25 scholarship recipients. The project's aim is to give students the opportunity to elevate their lives, receive a quality education, and be better prepared for the future.
Through the Hunters' Hundred Scholarship program, a total of 100 qualifying students will receive financial aid in colleges. Heart of a Champion encourages students to elevate their character in the classroom, at home, in extracurricular activities and in the communities, and at this time we'd like to present a short video clip.
(Video shown.)
At this time I'd like to introduce Steve Rich, chairman of the board of Heart of a Champion, to give a project overview to discuss the initiatives.
STEVE RICH: Thank you, Tim. On behalf of everyone involved with the Torii Hunter Project, I want to thank you for being here today to hear about this very special, if maybe a bit unusual, announcement. It's quite unique, I think, that in this room where you're so used to hearing, and certainly within the next 24 hours you'll be hearing about how much money a baseball player is making, that this morning you're going to hear about how much money a baseball player is giving. What a great statement it is for these Winter Meetings to hear what Torii Hunter is doing.
As you saw in the video clip, the Torii Hunter Project is a comprehensive, long-term effort to impact youth in need throughout various parts of the United States. It's built on those four core areas that the video displayed: sports, community, education and wellness. And in a considerable act of commitment and generosity, Torii and his wife Katrina have contributed over $1 million of their personal resources to fund the project and are seeking additional partners to expand the work.
Many of you are probably aware of the things that Torii and Katrina have done. They've built a youth baseball facility in Orange County. They're building a baseball facility in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Torii's home town, and they've contributed to numerous efforts to helping youth who are in need, who are hungry and homeless and have various needs.
But this initiative in addition to being launched today focuses specifically on education and how through education students can be given the best opportunity for a successful future. To achieve this, the project focuses on those two elements that Tim mentioned: the Heart of a Champion program and the Hunters' Hundred Scholarship program.
Heart of a Champion program is regarded as the nation's premier character education program at the middle school and junior high school level. The program focuses on nine specific traits: commitment, leadership, perseverance, teamwork, respect, integrity, responsibility, self-control and compassion. Those are nine traits that define the gentleman that Torii Hunter is.
The program is delivered during the entire three-year middle school or junior high school experience for a student, is deployed weekly over the entire nine-month school year. The program incorporates real-life stories of people like Nolan Ryan and others, incorporating innovative print, video and online tools to instill and reinforce positive character and life skills. And for the past eight years the program has produced measurable results in schools, after-school outlets and juvenile justice facilities in 18 states here in the United States.
The results indicate specific attitudinal and behavioral changes in students along with reduced disciplinary incidents, reduced drug use, and increase in grade point averages, in some case as much as a 49 percent increase in grade point averages.
In addition to this initiative, through the work of Torii and his wife Katrina and in partnership with the Angels Baseball Foundation, the Heart of a Champion program will initially impact some 7,000 students in the Anaheim area; the Pine Bluff, Arkansas, area; and in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Angels Baseball Foundation is graciously partnering with Torii to reach the Anaheim area.
The Hunters' Hundred Scholarship program will provide a minimum of 100 scholarships to qualifying students during the years 2009 through 2012. Students will be required to meet certain criteria, including but not limited to financial need, academic standing, attendance and high character, and they'll be selected without regard to race, gender or ethnicity.
Each year beginning with this 2005-2010 school year that will come in the fall, 25 scholarships will be presented to select high school graduates, and those graduates will come from three very deserving organizations.
We have representatives from two of those organizations here today. I'd like to introduce those to you now. The Pine Bluff School District in Arkansas where Torii is from and where he went to school will be one of recipients of those scholarships. They could not be here today because they've got school going on and they're very busy right now in Arkansas. The other two recipients are the Orangewood Children's Home in Orange, California, and the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy here in Las Vegas.
The overall goal of this education initiative is to raise $5 million over the next four years to fund both aspects of the project and will enable the Torii Hunter Project to provide the Heart of a Champion program to some 50,000 middle school and junior high school students in the areas of interest, and the minimum of 100 college scholarships to those deserving high school graduates.
Torii's desire is to go way beyond those numbers, and with the kind of individual he is and what he's doing to further this act, we're confident that we're going to see people all over the United States being impacted.
I want to tell you this initiative is groundbreaking. I'm not aware of another current professional athlete who has taken such a comprehensive approach to an academic reach in different parts of the United States, and so Torii is really breaking new ground here. And what he's doing is phenomenal, his desire to elevate the lives of young people and help them to advance to the next level.
It was Dr. Martin Luther, Jr., who once said, "The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character, that is the goal of education." And that certainly sums up what Torii is doing with this initiative.
We believe the benefits will be huge, and we believe we'll be seeing thousands of young people around the country with a better hope for tomorrow through the development of their character and through a chance to attend a university and get a good college education.
I mentioned the three organizations. I'd like to introduce the representatives from the two who are here this morning.
The Orangewood Children's Home is located in Orange, California. They provide refuge for over 2,700 young people each year who are affected by child abuse and neglect. Through financial assistance, mentors, daily living skills workshops, transitional housing and college scholarships, they give young people a second chance at a happy and productive life.
In their 27 year history, Orangewood has helped over 62,000 young people. And with us this morning is the chief executive officer of the Orangewood Children's Foundation, Mr. Cal Winslow. Cal, if you'd stand, we'd like to recognize you.
Orangewood Children's Home is one of the beneficiaries of the Torii Hunter Project. And the other one that's represented here this morning is the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy which is a model public charter school whose goal is to offer academic programs designed to enhance a child's character, respect, motivation and self-discipline while preparing its students for college. It is a unique work that Mr. Agassi is doing.
Located in the heart of Las Vegas' most at-risk neighborhood, the academy was founded in 2001 specifically to improve skill levels and combat lowered academic expectations while creating a climate of hope among this community's most challenged children.
And Mr. Andre Agassi, the founder, of course, of the academy is here with us today.
These three organizations will be the recipients of the minimum 100 scholarships over the next four years, and the Torii Hunter Project is excited to partner with each of them because the work they do makes an incredible difference in the lives of young people.
I'll tell you who is a great teammate, and that's Torii Hunter. You know that he is a two-time All-Star and he's won eight consecutive Gold Glove awards. You know about the statistics on the field. You probably also know after covering his career that he was the recipient of the 2007 Marvin Miller Man of the Year award and the 2004 Carl Pohlad award and has twice been nominated for the Roberto Clemente award.
What you may not know is he's one of the most genuine men that you'll ever have the opportunity to meet. He genuinely cares about people and about children, and that's why he's doing what he's doing. It's a privilege for us at Heart of a Champion to be partnering with Torii on this project and we are excited about seeing the lives that will change when we work together.
Come on up, Torii Hunter.
TORII HUNTER: You made me feel special right there. First of all, I'd like to thank Orangewood School's program and Andre Agassi, the preparatory college program, and the Angels Baseball Foundation. These guys are really helping me out with my dream, and I definitely appreciate that. I'd like to give you guys another round of applause.
Well, about me, actually I started this Torii Hunter Project like two years ago. I was just sitting in the bed with my wife Katrina, and we were just sitting up talking about, man, what can I do, what kind of program am I going to get together? I would go in and donate monies to different organizations and things like that, and I wanted to do something myself and really see it go to work.
So I told Larry to fly down here, I think I got some ideas and I think I need you to help me brainstorm, and he came down and we came up with the Torii Hunter Project, and we went on to try to work with Little League baseball. But I wanted to go over and beyond that, just trying to get interested in kids to play the game of baseball. I wanted to bring them education, health care and help out in the community, different things like that.
And I also -- when I was a child, my mom, whenever I didn't do my homework, she definitely wouldn't let me go outside and play, and I thought she was evil (laughter). She also told me I couldn't go to baseball practice or fastball practice or any practice if I didn't get my homework. Man, I thought she was really evil. I could have no respect for my mom. I'm like, wow, she's evil, nobody talks to her.
But as I got older, I understood how important education really was. I look at my children now, and whenever they come home with a B -- my kids make straight As, I'm sorry to say, but when they come home with a B, I tell them, hey, you've got to strive harder, you've got to push a little harder and try to get these As. So I know how important education is. I know my mother was trying to teach me that lesson early, but now I know as a parent.
So just talking to Larry and Steve Rich and hearing about the Andre Agassi Academy prep school and hearing about Orangewood and different things like that, I was like, man, that would be a good idea to have some scholarships. I always wanted to give back to kids and be able to help these kids pursue their careers. And if I have something to do with that and I see a doctor, this guy, I probably gave him scholarship but he has to have surgery on me, you never know, I'm getting old -- baseball people, I'm not getting old, I'm actually young, 23, but I definitely want these kids to really pursue their dreams and their careers, and I want to be very influential in doing that.
I hope that other baseball players will join in and help out with this cause, and we will keep going, keep the Torii Hunter Project going, and do some great things in this world, this state, this community.
Thank you guys for having me, and hopefully we can get this thing going.
STEVE RICH: As a man with a heart the size of California right there. I mentioned that Torii's work is groundbreaking and there are very few professional athletes who have taken the opportunity to impact people on such a broad basis.
You know, they really -- we talk a lot about what athletes do with what they have and they really don't have a responsibility, right? We expect them to. But they do it because they want to. They do it because they have a passion for impacting people's lives. That's what Torii Hunter is all about, and that's what Andre Agassi is all about, as well, and what he's doing in Las Vegas is phenomenal.
I mentioned earlier that he's here with us. He's not only here with us to stand up and wave his hand but he's here to give us some comments, as well.
You know that Andre is the founder of the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy. You probably also know that he's one of the popular and prolific athletes of our time. In our 21 year professional tennis career, Andre won eight Grand Slam titles, and he won 60 singles titles and an Olympic gold medal and brought all of us as fans of sport some of the most thrilling moments in tennis that we've ever seen.
Off the court, what he's done is even more amazing with the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, and we thought you might enjoy hearing from him for a few moments about what it means to be in partnership with Torii Hunter.
ANDRE AGASSI: Those statistics sound like a lot until you wake up with my wife and realize that they're not so impressive (laughter).
It's great to be here today. Welcome to my home. I'm born and raised in Las Vegas. I will start by just sort of saying I have two favorite baseball players in my life. One is a young man you probably haven't heard of yet but probably you'll be hearing of him in the next few years. His name is Jaden Gil Agassi, who loves baseball, and it's been such a great thing we could share between us. And now my second is Torii Hunter. You're a wonderful person and I marvel at what you're doing.
I'll tell you why I think so highly of you, because in life there will always be those that say that something can't be done, but Torii is proving that you can ease suffering and you can make a difference.
I started my foundation when I was 23. I thought I was sort of in the middle or maybe towards the end of my career. It turns out I was sort of on the front side of it. But when I started my foundation I knew I was going to help kids. It just seemed very easy to care about children. I wasn't sure how I was going to go about that. I did it a few different ways, through clothing children, through Operation School Bell where we clothe over 3,000 children a year. I did it through a shelter for abused and neglected kids whose parents are in rehab or in the courts or what have you. I did it through the Boys & Girls Club where we built this recreational building for the after-school hours, which are crucial hours in a young person's life.
And for a number of years I realized that you sort of end up chasing your tail. You're sort of sticking a lot of Band-Aids on real issues, and the only way to really create systemic change and make a difference in a child's life and to interrupt that downward spiral and give those tools of hope is to educate them.
So that's what led me to education. Don't confuse me -- because I built a school, don't confuse me with being smart. Eighth grade was the best three years of my life (laughter).
You know, focus on education. We looked at a charter school which is a part state-funded, part private-funded school. We went to the most economically challenged area of Las Vegas and we decided to build it there. But we didn't just want to build it for these children that were lucky enough to have their name drawn from a lottery to get in. We wanted to build it in a way that could make an argument how important education can be nationally.
Nevada is a state that funds about 49th in the United States per people allocation. We fund about $5,400 per student per year. The national average is north of 9,000. We're 50th in kids that we put into college. We're getting what we pay for. So what I wanted to do was to provide a national average of funding, to provide a higher than national average of accountability with those funds, and then to take that opportunity and give it to the children that society has written off the most.
This particular area, 96 percent are African-American but all 70 percent come from one-parent homes. We're the fifth largest school district in America and a number of years ago we were the only school nationally recognized for our accomplishments. This will be our first graduating class this year in June, and when that class graduates, the academy's job is technically finished, but these children's job isn't. Their life continues. It's only just begun. Our school is built on the theory that there are no shortcuts. In sports you learn that the hard way.
We have eight-hour school days versus six-hour school days. When these kids leave and graduate, technically they run to the finish line, but we don't believe that in our school. We believe your life is just beginning.
Because of Torii and his support and his recognition to the importance of education in these children's lives are giving these children at my school of dedicated years to achieving a goal, giving them a chance to continue that dream.
That means the world to me, and if there's anything I can ever do for you, I'm a simple guy, just call me, man.
Thank you.
THE MODERATOR: I'd also like to recognize another gentleman up here before we open it up for questions and answers, and he is truly kind of the wizard behind a lot of things in Torii's life, and that's his representative but more importantly his friend, Larry Reynolds.

End of FastScripts

Stephan

12-30-2008, 11:20 PM

an interview with Steffi Graf

Last Updated: December 30, 2008 10:47 AM
As Seen In TENNIS: An Interview with Steffi Graf

By Jon Levey

The numbers are staggering. Twenty-two Grand Slam singles titles. Records for total weeks (377) and years (8) at No. 1. Yet Steffi Graf ’s most remarkable achievement happened when she was still a teenager. In 1988, she won all four majors and followed that with a gold medal at the Seoul Olympics. Twenty years later and nine years removed from retirement, Graf, 39, looks fit enough to trade forehands on the pro tour. German born and raised, she now lives in Las Vegas with her husband, Andre Agassi, and their two children, Jaden, 7, and Jaz, 5. TENNIS recently caught up with Graf in her adopted hometown to get her thoughts on her historic feat and life after tennis.

It’s the 20th anniversary of your “Golden Slam,” something no other player has accomplished. When you look back on 1988, is there any match or memory that comes to mind?
There are a lot of memories. It would be tough to point out a specific one. I obviously had an incredible start to the year. Playing so well in the Australian Open and the same with Paris. The toughest part was going into the U.S. Open with everyone talking about the possibility of it. I was trying to defer the pressure by saying I wasn’t thinking about it, but everybody is talking about it and you get questions left and right. At the time I’m 19 years old so I try to get away from the pressure and just concentrate match by match. Then stepping on the court the day of the final against Gabriela Sabatini, it was pretty overwhelming at that point. And we get in a real fight, an on-court battle, and it was physically and emotionally so demanding that I started cramping toward the middle of the third set. And I remember at match point it literally felt like I put everything into it. I finished a shot and I was done. I don’t think I could’ve played another point. I was overwhelmed, but, strangely enough, in a way relieved that it was over at that point. As much as I should have been excited, I was just drained.

At the start of the year you were just 18 and had won only one Slam. Did you have any notion that you could accomplish what you accomplished?
At that time you’re pretty naïve about the possibilities. You hear about the history of tennis and what other people have achieved and stats and numbers, but they don’t become real at that age. It’s tough. Talking about the surfaces, the circumstances of life, and the things that happen. Emotionally and physically, four different times a year at the highest level, which you have to be in order to win the Grand Slams. That’s a difficult task, and when you’re younger I guess you’re more ready for it.

You mentioned the final against Sabatini. The two of you had some great matches that year. Did you see her as your biggest obstacle to winning the Golden Slam?
We had a great rivalry over many years. Especially that time and the following two, three years. [But] if I would look at it I would say the most difficult player would be Martina Navratilova. For me grass courts were the most unusual surface. I had only played a few times to that point at Wimbledon, so that was the one I felt, especially with Martina being so strong, would be my most difficult tournament to play, and the most dangerous for me in terms of different players that have the serve-volley game.

Unlike Beijing this year, the Seoul Olympics in ’88 were played after the U.S. Open. What do you recall from that experience?
I had to actually leave that same night [after winning the Open] to go back to Germany because we had to get to the Olympics a day later. I remember getting to the airport and taking a flight full of athletes. I looked up to all of them in track and field. I loved the 800 meters. When we arrived I went to where the 800-meter guys were training. And I’m literally coming off being physically exhausted, plus the flight to Europe and then to South Korea the next day. And I decided to sprint with them. It was so much fun. I couldn’t really do anything for a few days after that. But it was so much fun to go to the different sports. I got the biggest kick out of being a part of the Olympic team and the village.

Did winning the gold medal measure up to your other achievements that year?
No, it didn’t. It was special, but if I look at what means more to me, it was winning the Slams. That is our sport. Four times a year you have to be at your best for two weeks.

Who would you say was the toughest opponent, and who do you think was the most talented?
Most difficult player, toughest to play against, Monica Seles. Just a fierce fighter. Doesn’t let up the whole match. Not where you can feel like if you stay with her for a certain amount of time [you know you’ll get your looks]. With her you knew the intensity was high, her ball-striking immense, the power she had, the left-handed serve. She had, for me, overall the toughest game. Talentwise I look at [Venus and Serena] Williams and just the possibilities with their physical abilities and their court coverage and athleticism. I think they would’ve had the most potential of being the best players out there.

But you don’t think they’ve reached that potential?
At times. They just haven’t shown the consistency. You look at someone like Navratilova who worked on every aspect of her game and her physical side. Or a Justine Henin who literally [used] every talent and everything she [had]. [The Williams sisters] have not gotten to the point where they could.

If you were still competing today how do you think you would do?
It doesn’t matter [laughs]. It’s one thing I don’t have to worry about.

Since you’ve retired there hasn’t been a consistent, dominant champion on the women’s tour. Why do you think that’s been the case?
I think just the game in general has so many more top players. The field has gotten a lot stronger, wider. That makes it always tough on the top players. Tough to be consistently on top of the game. You have the Williams sisters, you have Maria Sharapova, and all the Russian players, there are so many great players out there.

Speaking of dominance, last fall Roger Federer passed your record of 186 consecutive weeks at No. 1. Did that register with you at all?
To be honest, I just heard it for the first time [laughs]. I’m not following those things too much.

Many great athletes struggle with life postretirement. It doesn’t seem to have been a problem for you.
No! [laughs]

How were you able to make the transition?
I always felt that tennis was part of my life, but it wasn’t all of my life. I felt like I always had enough hobbies and other interests that I was pretty excited for the time after tennis. I gave it [my] all during this period of my career and I think that helped me step away from it. But also I felt really ready for different things in my life. Also when you look at my last few years with the injuries and the struggles physically I had in order to be able to play . . . . The therapy and the constant attention towards it made it difficult to play. So I can say that I was really looking forward to that period and it’s been all that and more.

You have a lot of off-court projects now, including a furniture line with Kreiss and a Louis Vuitton advertising campaign. How do you go about picking the ones you’re going to pursue?
The best thing that tennis gave me has been my family. But second is the luxury to be able to pick and choose what to do with my time. I’ve been really fortunate with some incredible projects. Traveling the world, going to museums, seeing art exhibits, or [seeing] different cultures and architecture, I’m able to pull all these experiences into [my projects]. I think it’s literally been a luxury for me to say these things are what I want to spend time with.

Another project you’re doing is Airflow, Head’s line of women’s racquets. How did this come about and how much of the development process are you involved in?
Kevin [Kempin, Head’s vice president of sales and marketing] came to me about two years back and it’s been quite a process. We constantly talk on the phone and meet a few times a year on the updates of the different models. Nobody has really looked at it from the perspective that Head has. We are able, I think, to do something for women’s tennis and make it a little easier for some women to play.

When you were younger and you thought about the end of your career, did you ever envision that you’d be living in Las Vegas?
No. No. [laughs] I literally had no idea where I was going to live. I just felt that I’ve been able to see so much of the world that I wanted to explore that more. Now living with two kids, and another great thing is my mom lives here, and so does my brother with his four kids. Andre, you know, [was] born and raised here, so we have such a tight-knit family and friend circuit. I feel very blessed.

What do you miss most about Germany?
Obviously with most of your family here that’s not going to draw you back there. To me where family is, that’s kind of where home is. But I get to spend quite a few times a year in Germany. I still have my foundation [Children for Tomorrow] back in Germany. I still have different businesses and some of the family there and a lot of my friends. So there is a lot of incentive to go a few times a year.

You mentioned your kids, Jaden and Jaz. Do you want them to go into tennis?
To us it’s that they dedicate themselves to something that they enjoy, whatever it is. We will try to introduce them to different sports. We’ve tried soccer, but it wasn’t quite [right]. Now Jaden is looking into baseball. We truly had the best time last winter going snowboarding and skiing, so everybody is really enjoying the winter sports. But tennis, you know, they play a little bit. And if it would be only a little bit, I wouldn’t mind it too much.

camilia

12-31-2008, 02:19 PM

Thanks Stephan :)

camilia

01-01-2009, 03:59 AM

I didn't know where to post this but

Happy new year :)

Stephan

01-02-2009, 03:17 AM

I didn't know where to post this but

Happy new year :)

Oh yes, let we do it here:

Happy New Year to Andre Agassi, his family and to all his fans!!! :wavey:

yoguis

01-03-2009, 01:57 AM

Happy New Year!! :D

Agassi Fan

01-04-2009, 11:05 AM

Happy New Year!

varar

01-05-2009, 11:16 AM

Happy New Year!!!

kati830728

05-09-2009, 02:35 PM

andre and steffi will be on Inside Sport on Monday. It´s a BBC Show. Can someone record it and put it on youtube?

AWM79

05-10-2009, 03:39 PM

The BBC will also be showing the event at Wimbledon next week for the testing of the new roof.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6102132.stm

Companies representing tennis stars Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf have filed lawsuits over the alleged use of their names in Internet site domain names, alleging trademark infringement and cybersquatting.

In one suit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas, Las Vegas-based Agassi Enterprises Inc. claims the defendant domain names and those who registered them are attempting to profit from Agassi's famous name, reputation and goodwill.

"Andre Agassi is one of the greatest professional tennis players of all time. He captured eight Grand Slam titles, an Olympic Gold Medal, and is one of five players in the world to win a career Grand Slam, or win all four Grand Slam titles — U.S. Open, Australian Open, Wimbledon and French Open — in his career," the suit says.

"Throughout his career, Andre Agassi was in the public spotlight not only due to his success as a tennis player, but also through his endorsement deals and television commercials. Despite retiring from the game of tennis in 2006, Andre Agassi remains very much in the public spotlight through his philanthropic efforts and business dealings, which include the branding of the Agassi name and trademark," the suit says.

But now, the suit says, companies in St. Johns, Antigua; Panama City, Fla.; and Scottsdale, Ariz.; have registered Internet domain names using Andre Agassi's name without his consent. The suit seeks an injunction requiring the domain name registrars to transfer the domain names at issue to Agassi.

The second suit was filed by SGF License LLC of Las Vegas, which represents Agassi's spouse, Graf.

"Stefanie Graf is one of the greatest professional tennis players of all time. She won 22 Grand Slam singles titles: seven at Wimbledon, six at the French Open, five at the US Open and four at the Australian Open. She is the only player to win each at least four times," that suit says.

"Throughout her career, Stefanie Graf was in the public spotlight not only due to her success as a tennis player, but also through her endorsement deals and television commercials. Despite retiring from the game of tennis in 1999, Stefanie Graf remains very much in the public spotlight through her philanthropic efforts and business dealings, which include the branding of the Graf name and trademark," the suit says.

Now, the suit charges, two companies and an individual have registered Internet domain names without her permission in hopes of capitalizing on her fame. Those companies and the individual are in the Cayman Islands, London and in Illinois, the suit says. Again, the Graf company seeks to have the domain names transferred to her company.

Both suits were filed by attorneys Michael McCue and Jennifer Craft of the Las Vegas firm Lewis and Roca LLP. None of the companies or the individual allegedly behind the domain names at issue have responded to the allegations.

Stephan

05-14-2009, 03:38 PM

May 11th, 2009

ESPN Classic to Televise Agassi(s)-Henman-Clijsters Wimbledon Exo

by Staff

PRESS RELEASE

On Sunday, May 17, ESPN Classic and broadband ESPN360.com will televise live “A Centre Court Celebration,” the first tennis to be played under the new retractable roof on Wimbledon’s famed Centre Court. The three-and-one-half-hour uninterrupted and continuous telecast will begin at 9:30 a.m. ET and will include four players:

– the husband and wife team of Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, who combined for eight Wimbledon singles titles (one and seven, respectively);
– Kim Clijsters, the former top-ranked player and 2005 US Open champ who recently announced she will return to play this summer after retiring in 2007;
– and Tim Henman, the Brit who thrilled and tantalized the local fans by reaching the Wimbledon semifinals and quarterfinals four times each before retiring in 2007.

The action will include a gentlemen’s singles match, a ladies’ singles match, and mixed doubles. All matches will be one set, with a tiebreaker. The telecast will be produced by the BBC, with Andrew Castle and former notable British tennis player John Lloyd on the call.

Three years in the making, the new roof and air management system will be tested in front of a capacity crowd of 15,000. The old overhang roof on Centre Court was removed after Wimbledon in 2006. The 2007 tournament was played with no roof over the stands and the 2008 event was played with the new overhang in place and the retractable roof installed but not operable. The new roof takes up to 10 minutes to close, unfolding from each end and meeting in the middle, and requires an additional 30 minutes for the internal environment to be stabilized before play may resume. Being translucent, the roof allows natural light onto the grass playing surface. In addition, the redesigned Centre Court now has an additional 1,500 seats, bringing capacity to 15,000.

May 14 (Bloomberg) -- Andre Agassi, the retired tennis star whose name is licensed by Nike Inc. and Adidas AG, sued three Web site addresses that bear his name, claiming they were registered in “bad faith” to profit from his popularity.

The domain names, andre-agassi.com, andre-agassi.net and andre-agassi.info, should be transferred to Agassi’s ownership, the tennis star’s licensing company, Agassi Enterprises Inc., said in a complaint filed May 12 in federal court in Las Vegas.

“Andre Agassi remains very much in the public spotlight through his philanthropic efforts and business dealings, which include the branding of the Agassi name and trademark,” Agassi Enterprises, which is based in Las Vegas, said in the complaint, which claims violations of so-called cybersquatting laws.

The popularity of the 39-year-old athlete, an Olympic gold medal winner who captured eight Grand Slam titles, has been bolstered by television commercials and endorsement deals that depend on protection of his trademark rights. Agassi retired from tennis in 2006 with winnings of more than $31 million.

The companies that registered the domain names are St. Johns, Antigua-based Standard Bearer Enterprises Ltd., Panama City, Florida-based Garvin Advertising Agency and Scottsdale, Arizona-based DomainsBy*****, according to the complaint.

The case is Agassi Enterprises, Inc. v. andre-agassi.com, 2:09-cv-00849, U.S. District Court, District of Nevada (Las Vegas).

To contact the reporter on this story: Erik Larson in New York at elarson4@bloomberg.net.
Last Updated: May 14, 2009 00:01 EDT

AWM79

05-16-2009, 06:48 PM

From http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/celebration/

TV Coverage

Among the territories carrying major coverage of A Centre Court Celebration are:

The event will also be broadcast on the BBC website and on ESPN360.com

In TV program of BBC2 I have really found WIMBLEDON TENNIS Central Court cover at 15.30 (UK time)
Thanx AWM79 :wavey::wavey::wavey:
they mention that Andre will play there.... :)

Stephan

05-17-2009, 03:18 AM

Centre Court high: Agassi had famously shunned Wimbledon for three years because his rock 'n' roll style was at odds with the conservative nature of things at the All England Club. He returned in 1991 and the following year the 22-year-old, appearing in all white baggy shorts, bike pants and untucked shirt, reached the final where he survived 37 aces from Goran Ivanisevic to win his first, and only, Wiimbledon title 6-7(8), 6-4, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. "Last year changed how I felt about this event, in the sense that there is no tournament like it and there never will be," Agassi said at the time. "You can have a tournament anywhere in the world and it will never have the mystique of Wimbledon."
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/celebration/players/agassi01.jpg Andre in 1992

He says: "I am honoured to be invited by the All England Club to take part in this landmark occasion. I have great memories of playing at Wimbledon and to be amongst the first to play under the new Centre Court roof is really exciting."

First Wimbledon: 1987 lost in first round to Henri Leconte 6-2, 6-1, 6-2

Best performance: Champion 1992

Last Wimbledon: 2006 lost in third round to Rafael Nadal 7-6, 6-2, 6-4

http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/celebration/players/agassi_cc.jpg
Andre Agassi began his professional tennis career in 1986 at the age of 16. His performance on the court earned him 60 career men's singles titles, including eight Grand Slam singles championships. Agassi is the only male player in the world to win all four Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal. Agassi retired from his tennis career following the U.S. Open in the summer of 2006. In 1994, Agassi founded the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation which is dedicated to transforming U.S. public education for underserved youth. Agassi is married to former tennis superstar Stefanie Graf, and the couple have two children.

OrdinaryfoolisNJ

05-17-2009, 08:04 AM

FYI: ESPN Classic is airing the Steffi Sports Century right before the Wimbie Celebration. It will air at 5:30AM Pacific, and 8:30AM Eastern. I've only read the transcript, but look forward to seeing it.

I thought that the Sports Century on Andre was MUCH better than the recent show that Tennis Channel did on Andre. So, I'm hoping the Steffi one will be good also.

kati830728

05-17-2009, 01:48 PM

Can someone put the exhibition on youtube later? I´m from germany and i can´t watch it here, or can someone help where can i watch it online. i cannot watch it on bbconline because it is for uk user not for germans

OrdinaryfoolisNJ

05-17-2009, 01:53 PM

Can someone put the exhibition on youtube later? I´m from germany and i can´t watch it here, or can someone help where can i watch it online. i cannot watch it on bbconline because it is for uk user not for germans

Katie - I hope that you read this. Did you try:

ESPN360.com

That's where Pete Bodo said it would be streaming live on the internet.

kati830728

05-17-2009, 02:22 PM

well it doesn´t work for me. has someone already found pictures on the internet?

llama

05-17-2009, 03:25 PM

Wondeful to see Andre and Steffi, Kim and Tim! Their match was so fun - they were all grinning from ear to ear. Tim and Kim took it in a tiebreak, but everyone enjoyed it so much.

However - what the heck is with these singers? Wimbledon must have a vault full of memories - they couldn't have shown them? They could have made a terrific montage of Wimbledon through the years - instead we get this blonde singer? She is such a ditz! Whoever planned that really messed up. Amazing Grace??? Uhhuh.. what does that have to do with closing a roof at Wimbledon? The roof looks cool though!

djul

05-17-2009, 06:21 PM

well it doesn´t work for me. has someone already found pictures on the internet?
Yahoo (as usual), there are more pics from the exo, than from the Federer-Nadal:phttp://sports.yahoo.com/ten/gallery;_ylt=AmLBCC7NknPcQZ6c3v4MjJo4v7YF

So great to see them back, really good level of tennis, hard ball hitting ;) Miss them.

Wondeful to see Andre and Steffi, Kim and Tim! Their match was so fun - they were all grinning from ear to ear. Tim and Kim took it in a tiebreak, but everyone enjoyed it so much.

However - what the heck is with these singers? Wimbledon must have a vault full of memories - they couldn't have shown them? They could have made a terrific montage of Wimbledon through the years - instead we get this blonde singer? She is such a ditz! Whoever planned that really messed up. Amazing Grace??? Uhhuh.. what does that have to do with closing a roof at Wimbledon? The roof looks cool though!

Really nice to see them again in action. But they lost that match. Mostly because of Andre's funny play ... ;)
I understand it was just some "exhibition match"... But I wish them always win. Yes better remember them as winners :)

Stephan

05-18-2009, 09:55 AM

http://img2.menstennisforums.com/511/Andre_W1.jpg

http://img2.menstennisforums.com/511/Andre_W2.jpg

http://img2.menstennisforums.com/511/Andre_W3.jpg

http://img2.menstennisforums.com/511/Andre_W4.jpg

http://img2.menstennisforums.com/511/Andre_W5.jpg

http://img2.menstennisforums.com/511/Andre_W6.jpg

kati830728

05-18-2009, 12:17 PM

does someone can put the agassi/graf vs. henman/clijsters match on youtube?

OrdinaryfoolisNJ

05-18-2009, 03:58 PM

Really nice to see them again in action. But they lost that match. Mostly because of Andre's funny play ... ;)
I understand it was just some "exhibition match"... But I wish them always win. Yes better remember them as winners :)

He still hit some good shots, but in my opinion, Andre backed off a little bit after he hit Kim, but it was still oodles of fun. At least he beat Tim, and looked good doing so. To bad Stef lost to Kim, but she showed that she still has her movement, speed, and shots. But not the stamina. Still, she was hitting her balls as low as ever on grass.

OrdinaryfoolisNJ

05-18-2009, 04:00 PM

By the way, Tennis Channel is showing Andre's 1999 French Open final match triumph tonight. Here in LA, I think it starts at 5P, which would be 8P on the east coast. I can't wait.

Stephan

05-18-2009, 04:46 PM

By the way, Tennis Channel is showing Andre's 1999 French Open final match triumph tonight. Here in LA, I think it starts at 5P, which would be 8P on the east coast. I can't wait.
in Europe we cannot watch it...
would be very nice if you could record it and post for us ?

OrdinaryfoolisNJ

05-18-2009, 07:17 PM

in Europe we cannot watch it...
would be very nice if you could record it and post for us ?

Oh, man. I wish that I could. I have the Wimbledon Celebration recorded too, but my computer just can't handle uploading video right now. Too old. Plus my DVR went kaput. I'm a mess at the moment.

I also found a nice clip from US Open 2006 on Andre. I erased a lot of stuff from then (stupid me), but found a couple of gems.

If someone else in the US wanted to do the editing/upload, maybe I could send them a tape. The commercials would have to be cut out and everything to make it really good.

Stephan

05-18-2009, 08:32 PM

Oh, man. I wish that I could. I have the Wimbledon Celebration recorded too, but my computer just can't handle uploading video right now. Too old. Plus my DVR went kaput. I'm a mess at the moment.

I also found a nice clip from US Open 2006 on Andre. I erased a lot of stuff from then (stupid me), but found a couple of gems.

If someone else in the US wanted to do the editing/upload, maybe I could send them a tape. The commercials would have to be cut out and everything to make it really good.

wish you upgrade your PC soon :)

Stephan

05-19-2009, 12:15 AM

Who knows now when we will see Andre playing next time?
Which court will built new roof? French? ;) :haha:

I know only on October tennis-party...

Stephan

05-19-2009, 01:42 AM

Who knows now when we will see Andre playing next time?
Which court will built new roof? French? ;) :haha:

I know only on October tennis-party...

i found something from February 2009 that we already missed,
Andre will play in July:

Agassi Back, Debuts July 2009 in World TeamTennis League

Posted on February 26, 2009

Andre Agassi will return to professional team tennis competition this summer, playing two matches for the Philadelphia Freedoms of the Advanta World TeamTennis Pro League.

The 2009 Advanta WTT Pro League schedule includes 73 matches in 10 markets, beginning July 2 and running through July 26. The Eastern and Western Conference Champions will battle for the Advanta WTT Championship title on July 26.

Agassi, who previously played World TeamTennis from 2002 to 2004, will play for the Freedoms on July 10 in Philadelphia and one road match on July 17 in Newport Beach, Calif.

"Playing World TeamTennis is a great experience," Agassi said. "Team play is a terrific way to showcase tennis, especially for kids. WTT is competitive, it's fun and there's a really great energy from the fans. I'm looking forward to playing WTT again."

Agassi won 60 career singles titles including eight Grand Slams.

"It's exciting to have Andre back in the Advanta World TeamTennis Pro League," said WTT CEO/Commissioner Ilana Kloss. "Not only is he one of the game's greatest ambassadors, but he has a
unique connection with fans. He always brings something special to the court."

Monday, May 18, 2009 Eight players list for America Tennis Championships in Surprise Arizona, in October 2009 is anounced:
Besides Andre Agassi they will be:

InsideOut Sports & Entertainment announced today the full field of players who will join Agassi at the 2009 Cancer Treatment Centers of America Tennis Championships in Surprise, Ariz., to be played Oct. 8-11. Completing the eight-player field will be Hall of Famers Jim Courier and Mats Wilander, 2003 Wimbledon finalist Mark Philippoussis, 1992 Olympic silver medalist Wayne Ferreira, 1986 French Open finalist Mikael Pernfors and former U.S. Davis Cup standouts Aaron Krickstein and Jimmy Arias.

Stephan

05-19-2009, 08:57 PM

on may 17 i watched andre/steffi vs tim/kim match,

today i found that there was separate match Andre vs Tim...
does someone have a link to that match video?

Andre Agassi met Anton Carter, who won the Golden Ticket competition for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, at Wimbledon.
Carter was selected from more than 100,000 entries, inclusive of all ticket purchasers to date.

The young tennis fan received a signed Golden Ticket from Agassi and was upgraded to a premium seat for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, to be held from 22-29 November at The O2 arena.

“Anton really enjoyed meeting Andre Agassi at Wimbledon. It was an experience he will never forget. It was such a massive surprise for Anton to win the Golden Ticket to the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. We are really looking forward to seeing the world’s top tennis players in the world play at The O2 this November.” said Paul Carter, who accompanied his son on the visit.

Stephan

06-04-2009, 04:58 AM

Andre's official (?) site http://agassiopen.com/
still exist.

I find "Our" Andre's section here is much more informative :)

camilia

06-05-2009, 11:44 AM

I haven't visited Andre's site nor Steffi's site for a long time!

OrdinaryfoolisNJ

06-06-2009, 01:31 AM

I saw a clip today on Tennis Channel during the FO replay of matches with Andre talking about Agassi Prep. There were several students also talking about how they never thought they'd go to college. I couldn't record it -- and anyway I came in on it late. But if you have TTC, check it out. I'm sure it'll air again.

Also, someone on the Steffi thread on the women's board reported that French TV is offering a 45 minute documentary with interviews with Steffi and Andre and the 10 year anniversary of their French Open victories to air before the men's singles final. It's on France2?

If anyone in Europe can record this, can you please share with us via Youtube???? Many thanks in advance.

OrdinaryfoolisNJ

06-06-2009, 01:31 AM

Andre's official (?) site http://agassiopen.com/
still exist.

I find "Our" Andre's section here is much more informative :)

Definitely not official. First, Andre's birthday is wrong, and at the bottom it says they're not affiliated with Andre. This site is much better thanks to you Stephan and the many others who share so unselfishly.

OrdinaryfoolisNJ

06-20-2009, 11:48 PM

This TMobile commercial for Germany is too funny:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVqqv66pvIk&feature=related

OrdinaryfoolisNJ

06-28-2009, 08:38 AM

I sure wish that someone would upload the English version. But this is still great:

Tennis legend Andre Agassi, a favorite among fans and players throughout his 20+ year career, will appear at The Kennedy Funding Invitational, a charity tennis tournament to raise awareness and funding to fight breast cancer. The fourth annual event will be held July 8-12 at Dellwood Country Club in New City, NY. In addition to Men’s and Women’s tournaments, the Cole Schotz Celebrity Match has become a highlight of the annual festivities. The Celebrity Match will be on Sunday, July 12 at 4:00 pm.

A limited number of tickets are available to the Andre Agassi match at $100 each. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com and at all Ticketmaster outlets. To charge tickets by phone, call (800) 745-3000. Seating is limited and tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets for the tournament matches are free and can be obtained by visiting the tournament’s official website at www.thekennedyfundinginvitational.com.

In just its first three years, The Kennedy Funding Invitational has raised $3 million to benefit The Leslie Simon Breast Care and Cytodiagnosis Center at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center and the Breast Center at Nyack Hospital. Past participants in the Celebrity Match have included former tennis greats Pete Sampras and John McEnroe.

This year, Agassi takes the spotlight at The Kennedy Funding Invitational. Known for his aggressive play and flamboyant style, Agassi was a favorite among fans and players throughout his 21-year career, winning an Olympic Gold Medal and a total of 68 titles. He is one of only five male players to have won all four Grand Slam singles titles and the all four Grand Slam singles titles on three different surfaces. He was ranked the Number 1 player in the world during both 1995 and 1999 and consistently ranked among the top 10 throughout his career. Now retired from competition, he isfocused on the work of his Foundation. The Andre Agassi Foundation is dedicated to transforming U.S. public education for underserved youth. At the center of the Foundation’s mission is the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, a K-12 charter school located in Las Vegas’ most socio-economically disadvantaged neighborhood. More information is available at www.agassifoundation.org only men’s player to have won.

To find out more about becoming a sponsor, or for information on tickets for the tournament matches, please visit www.thekennedyfundinginvitational.com.

Stephan

07-03-2009, 01:47 AM

Yes, Andre got a hard schedule in 2009 :)
I did hear they are discussing his short visit to Armenia too...

Stephan

07-08-2009, 12:53 AM

Agassi to be honored on first night of US Open 2009
The Associated Press
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Andre Agassi is coming back to the U.S. Open.

The eight-time Grand Slam winner founded the Andre Agassi Foundation in 1994, the same year he won his first of two Open titles. The organization has raised nearly $75 million to provide opportunities for at-risk youth in Southern Nevada.

The Las Vegas charter school that bears Agassi's name graduated its first high school class this year.

Later this month, Agassi, 39, will compete in two matches for the Philadelphia Freedom in the World Team Tennis league.

NEW CITY - After seeing all the problems in the world, Andre Agassi said he was faced with a choice - sit and complain about it or act.

"Saying you care is one thing, but sooner or later caring has to become doing," Agassi said.

http://cmsimg.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=BH&Date=20090713&Category=SPORTS01&ArtNo=907130340&Ref=AR&MaxW=318&Border=0
Andre Agassi plays an exhibition match at the
Kennedy Funding Invitational in New City yesterday.

So the tennis great started his own foundation, which built a free charter school in a poverty-striken area of Las Vegas. That philanthropic spirit also brought Agassi, 39, to Rockland County yesterday for the Kennedy Funding Invitational, a tennis event that raised $500,000 for the breast-care centers at Englewood and Nyack hospitals.

"To come here and help do something that gives back to those that have been afflicted with that disease is important to me," said Agassi, whose mother and sister are breast-cancer survivors.

Agassi defeated Justin Gimelstob in a charity exhibition match, spoke at a sponsors luncheon and hit around with high-end donors for an hour at Dellwood Country Club.

"It's intimidating," said New City resident Mark Geller, who played with Agassi. "You always want to see what the top was like, and I saw the top, and there's a very big spread between here and there. But it was a lot of fun, he's very gracious and he didn't hurt me."

Playing Gimelstob in front of 1,350 people, a good-natured Agassi lost the first set 6-3, won the second 6-3 and then took a super tiebreaker 12-10 to decide the 90-minute match.

"It's unique for anybody to see him anywhere, but for Rockland County it was extraordinarily special," Geller said.

The KFI has raised $2.5 million over the past four years, which has helped Nyack Hospital buy Rockland County's first digital mammography units and expand The Breast Center. The hospital will soon purchase state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment.

"Rockland County has probably the highest rate of breast cancer in New York state, so we're sensitive to the disease," said Geller, who is the director of radiology at Nyack. "We completely renovated our breast program by virtue of this event."

(2 of 2)

During Agassi's press conference, he left no doubt who he thought was better, Roger Federer or Pete Sampras. Federer surpassed Sampras' Grand Slam record last July 5 at Wimbledon.

"I played Federer in the finals of the U.S. Open, and strictly from being on the court, what he brings to the table is simply unmatched by anybody I've ever competed against," Agassi said. "Pete got to the semis of the French Open once. Federer would have had five French Open championships if it wasn't for one freak of nature from Majorca (Rafael Nadal). His records and accomplishments are unimaginable for someone like myself."

Agassi also said it was clear how much better today's players are than in his era.

"Every sport that you can measure accomplishments, whether it's how much weight you can lift or how fast you can run or how high you can jump, we've seen athletes get stronger, get better," Agassi said. "I watch these guys play from my living room, and I thank God I don't play anymore."

Agassi was the third straight tennis legend to come to Dellwood for the event, following Sampras in 2007 and John McEnroe last year. Tournament director James Miller was already mulling options for next year, deciding whether to focus on the men's and women's tournaments by increasing prize money and installing hard courts, or going for celebrities such as the Williams sisters.

"But at the end of the day I'm positive we're going to come up with something that's going to knock everyone's socks off," Miller said.

Note: Melanie Oudin won the $12,500 women's tournament, defeating West Rock Tennis Club instructor Lauren Cash 6-1, 6-0. Oudin, 17, jumped from No. 124 to No. 70 in the world rankings after making the fourth round of Wimbledon.

Andre Agassi’s "Image is Everything" campaign still reigns supreme as the sellout crowd of 2,000 at Breakers Stadium at Newport Beach Country Club greeted his pre-match introduction with a standing ovation. However, the lasting image upon the conclusion of Friday’s Advanta World TeamTennis Pro League match was one of Ramon Delgado conquering yet another tennis legend and entrenching the reigning WTT Male MVP as the league’s dominant singles player.

Six days after beating Michael Chang and securing a Breakers victory, Delgado beat Agassi in the final set of the night and the Breakers, beginning their season-ending, four-match homestand, withstood the Agassi challenge and captured a 23-18 victory.

"I only beat them when they retire," Delgado joked. "It really pumps me up to play these guys, but it’s really an honor. At least I can say I beat him (Agassi) once. We played four times (on the ATP Tour). We played in the U.S. Open, in the third round in 2001 and 2002. One other time, I had match points against him."

The Breakers (7-4) will clinch the Western Conference’s second and final playoff spot Sunday with a win at home against the Sacramento Capitals, a team the Breakers have beaten in each of their three matchups this season. The Breakers last made the playoffs in 2006, the last of three consecutive years in which the team reached the WTT Finals. The Springfield Lasers (10-0), WTT’s only perfect team, have clinched the Western Conference crown and will host the WTT playoffs’ Western Conference final on July 24.

"To go 4-0 against Sacramento would be great," Breakers second-year player and Newport Beach native Kaes Van’t Hof said. "Sacramento is definitely our rival. With them, we have NorCal-SoCal."

Agassi, the former World No.1 who retired from the ATP Tour since 2006, made his WTT debut in Orange County Friday in front of his wife, women’s tennis legend and longtime World No. 1 Steffi Graf, two children, and friend and Laguna Beach resident Lindsay Davenport. He opened the match with a win in mixed doubles with Lisa Raymond, played to the crowd with multiple gestures and elicited oohs and aahs with his shot-making.

Delgado and Van’t Hof topped Agassi and Nathan Healey in men’s doubles, 5-2, to rally the Breakers to their first lead of the night, 13-12, after three sets. Marie-Eve Pelletier and Julie Ditty gave the Breakers a 18-15 lead by defeating Lisa Raymond and Madison Keys in women’s doubles, 5-3. Delgado closed out the match with an impressive set of serving and groundstrokes in a 5-2 victory over Agassi.

"Today I was reflecting on when I used to watch him (Agassi). I was born in 1986 so my whole junior career, I was watching him," Van’t Hof said. "I idolized him. We played well tonight. I’m getting confidence because Ramon and I are the best doubles team in the league."

Agassi, 39, played the last of two matches for Philadelphia (4-7) on Friday. This WTT season marked his return to organized professional tennis since retiring from the ATP Tour in 2006. He previously played in WTT for Sacramento from 2002-04. He is the only player in tennis history to win all four Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal, at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Agassi won Wimbledon in 1992, the U.S. Open in 1994 and 1999, the Australian Open in 1995, 2000, 2001 and 2003, and the 1999 French Open.

"The first reason why I'm playing World TeamTennis is because of (Breakers co-owner and WTT co-founder) Billie Jean (King)," Agassi said. "The short answer is she asked me. The long answer is I have a great deal of respect for her contributions to tennis, to sports, to anybody who has a daughter, anybody who has a mother. She has changed the landscape for all of us. I forgot how competitive it is. I thought it would just be pretty easy, play five games, you get to sit down. But it's highly competitive.

"If I can come out here and make a difference and people have fun as a result of it, I get to see a lot of old friends, get to connect with a game that's been very kind to me, then that's a win across the board. This is a great environment to do it."

Agassi, teaming with two-time WTT Female MVP, two-time WTT champion and nine-time Grand Slam doubles champion Raymond, helped the Freedoms to a first-set tiebreaker victory, 5-4. Full of smiles, Agassi buckled down in the tiebreaker and won the last two points of the tiebreak with a lunging backhand return down the line and a backhand volley down the middle of the court to take the tiebreak, 5-2.

The Breakers’ task didn’t get easier in the second set of the night, women’s singles, against Philadephia’s Madison Keys, the youngest player in WTT this season at 14. Keys has played beyond her years this week, already dispatching reigning Wimbledon champion Serena Williams 5-1 on Monday. The Breakers’ Marie-Eve Pelletier put up a valiant fight, but fell to the junior phenom, 5-4 (5-3 in the tiebreak).

Before the match, Kronemann was honored by WTT Commissioner Ilana Kloss for his 20 years of WTT service as a player and coach.

A limited amount of tickets are available for the Maria Sharapova package – a two-match package for $60 that includes admission to the Breakers’ next match, 7:05 p.m. Sunday, July 19 against Sacramento, as well as their regular season finale on Wednesday, July 22 vs. Kansas City, a match in which Maria Sharapova will play for the Breakers – and the Breakers’ July 21 match vs. John McEnroe and the New York Sportimes. Tickets and team information can be obtained at www.NewportBeachBreakers.com or by calling the ticket office at 714-352-6301

ASHEVILLE — The tennis exhibition scheduled Aug. 6 between Marat Safin and Novak Djokovic at the Asheville Civic Center has been cancelled.
Instead, Safin will appear in an exhibition on Aug. 28 at the Civic Center against eight-time Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi.
Safin, formerly ranked No. 1 in the world, has won two grand Slam titles. Agassi, 39, retired in 2006 having won 60 men's tour championships.

“We are honored to have such tennis greats as Andre and Marat play the very first Grand Slam Asheville,” said Brian Woods, the event’s promoter and a local sports agent. “This will be Andre’s first exhibition match against an active player since his retirement and the biggest tennis exhibition of the year.”

ASHEVILLE — The tennis exhibition scheduled Aug. 6 between Marat Safin and Novak Djokovic at the Asheville Civic Center has been cancelled.
Instead, Safin will appear in an exhibition on Aug. 28 at the Civic Center against eight-time Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi.
Safin, formerly ranked No. 1 in the world, has won two grand Slam titles. Agassi, 39, retired in 2006 having won 60 men's tour championships.

“We are honored to have such tennis greats as Andre and Marat play the very first Grand Slam Asheville,” said Brian Woods, the event’s promoter and a local sports agent. “This will be Andre’s first exhibition match against an active player since his retirement and the biggest tennis exhibition of the year.”

This will be Andre’s first exhibition match against an active player since his retirement and the biggest tennis exhibition of the year.”

Really good news, thank you Camilia :wavey:
I expect nice tennis. Maratik is not that hero anymore but he is still active player and will try to win vs. great Andre...
We would be able support Andre as it was earlier ... :)

camilia

07-29-2009, 11:51 AM

This will be Andre’s first exhibition match against an active player since his retirement and the biggest tennis exhibition of the year.”

Really good news, thank you Camilia :wavey:
I expect nice tennis. Maratik is not that hero anymore but he is still active player and will try to win vs. great Andre...
We would be able support Andre as it was earlier ... :)

You're welcome :)
I'm afraid I'll have to cheer for both of them, I love Maratik too;) He is a great player and he can play amazing tennis when his head is in the right place. He just defeated Pete Sampras 6-4,3-6, 10-6 two days ago. So, I expect the match to be a great match :bounce:

Stephan

07-29-2009, 03:02 PM

You're welcome :)
I'm afraid I'll have to cheer for both of them, I love Maratik too;) He is a great player and he can play amazing tennis when his head is in the right place. He just defeated Pete Sampras 6-4,3-6, 10-6 two days ago. So, I expect the match to be a great match :bounce:

OK Camilia!

My most favorite player is Andre.
Do you know may be the age difference? Pete and Marat?

camilia

07-29-2009, 09:39 PM

OK Camilia!

My most favorite player is Andre.
Do you know may be the age difference? Pete and Marat?

I think about 9 years, Marat was born in 1980 while Pete was born in 1971.

Stephan

07-30-2009, 12:38 AM

I think about 9 years, Marat was born in 1980 while Pete was born in 1971.

will be funny: 10 years older retired sportsman will beat an active player ;)

Stephan

07-30-2009, 12:40 AM

Andre's official (?) site http://agassiopen.com/
still exist.

I find "Our" Andre's section here is much more informative :)

Do you know fans?
That site is stopped (closed). I think by Andre himself. :(
Do not believe?
Try click on site http://agassiopen.com/
You will come directly to "The Andre Agassi Foundation"

camilia

07-30-2009, 10:39 AM

will be funny: 10 years older retired sportsman will beat an active player ;)

But with Marat you can never know which Marat is gonna show up in court, he's unpredictable :lol:

Do you know fans?
That site is stopped (closed). I think by Andre himself. :(
Do not believe?
Try click on site http://agassiopen.com/
You will come directly to "The Andre Agassi Foundation"

Sorana Cirstea couldn't overcome her aching foot or the powerful and steady serving of Samantha Stosur Saturday afternoon, losing her L.A. Women's Open semifinal 6-3, 6-2. But Cirstea, a 19-year-old from Romania, was excited to speak about some time she spent training in Las Vegas with Gil Reyes, Andre Agassi's former trainer, and Darren Cahill, Agassi's one-time coach.

"It was 115 degrees or something outdoors," Cirstea said. "At the beginning I couldn't breathe. I was actually hitting with Andre. His balls are going so deep and he is playing so well and he is so fit, I think he can still play at this moment. He was trying to tell me a few things, but I was so excited to be on court with him."

Agassi is married to Cirstea's tennis idol, Steffi Graf. "I remember watching Steffi on TV, so to see her face-to-face was a great thing," Cirstea said.

There's something strange with this pic but I can't figure what!:scratch:

irma

08-27-2009, 08:35 AM

Thanks djul :)

There's something strange with this pic but I can't figure what!:scratch:

The small pupils he has in this pic (probably because of the flash of the camera) make it look like he is high ;)

maybe he explains in the book why he choose this pic as cover!

camilia

08-27-2009, 03:49 PM

The small pupils he has in this pic (probably because of the flash of the camera) make it look like he is high ;)

maybe he explains in the book why he choose this pic as cover!

That's it :lol:

lhme12345

08-29-2009, 10:18 PM

The small pupils he has in this pic (probably because of the flash of the camera) make it look like he is high
When you're high, generally your pupils dilate i.e. get bigger. Not smaller.

irma

08-30-2009, 07:15 AM

I thought it depends on what drugs a person takes. drugs that make you hyper (by example coke) makes you pupils wider and drugs that slows you down (by example heroin) makes your pupils smaller but to be fair I have absolutely no experience with drugs, hard or soft.

camilia

08-30-2009, 08:23 PM

I thought it depends on what drugs a person takes. drugs that make you hyper (by example coke) makes you pupils wider and drugs that slows you down (by example heroin) makes your pupils smaller but to be fair I have absolutely no experience with drugs, hard or soft.

Just found that, some pics made me laugh sorry :devil: :p
http://www.justinsteele.com/site/promo/andre_agassi/

camilia

09-04-2009, 05:59 PM

Just found that, some pics made me laugh sorry :devil: :p
http://www.justinsteele.com/site/promo/andre_agassi/

They are funny :lol:

yoguis

09-04-2009, 10:28 PM

Thanks yoguis, he looks good :)

:wavey:

camilia

09-05-2009, 09:59 PM

:wavey:

Hi :wavey:

hélène

09-08-2009, 11:59 AM

The cover ;)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51hoa6B%2B3DL._SS500_.jpg

2001 june july
I found the same photo on the cover of a magazine "le magazine de l'optimum" June - July 2001.
It is the work of a photographer martin schoeller
here are other portraits
http://blog.robertbarney.com/2007/01/martin-schoeller.html

... I'm sorry for my poor english...

camilia

09-08-2009, 12:29 PM

2001 june july
I found the same photo on the cover of a magazine "le magazine de l'optimum" June - July 2001.
It is the work of a photographer martin schoeller
here are other portraits
http://blog.robertbarney.com/2007/01/martin-schoeller.html

... I'm sorry for my poor english...

Thanks and I like your English :hug:

camilia

09-09-2009, 01:14 AM

Ross School honors Agassi

http://www.27east.com/story_detail.cfm?id=231089&town=East

Jessyka

09-11-2009, 10:19 PM

There's a short interview with Andre on this link:
http://www.kgoam810.com/Article.asp?id=1496286&nId=7&spid=30365

OrdinaryfoolisNJ

09-20-2009, 09:01 PM

That photo from the upcoming autobio is intriguing. We need a book thread.

I've been reading everything that I can about the book, and read that People and SI will have exclusive excerpts, as well as 60 Minutes having the first interview with Andre. That's gotta be happening soon with its release only about six weeks away.

Also, if Dre does a book signing tour please post the info. I'll definitely go if he comes to LA.

karenpoon

09-21-2009, 03:30 AM

That photo from the upcoming autobio is intriguing. We need a book thread.

I've been reading everything that I can about the book, and read that People and SI will have exclusive excerpts, as well as 60 Minutes having the first interview with Andre. That's gotta be happening soon with its release only about six weeks away.

Also, if Dre does a book signing tour please post the info. I'll definitely go if he comes to LA.

There is a book signing but it's at Costco Summerlin in Las Vegas

camilia

09-21-2009, 12:29 PM

That photo from the upcoming autobio is intriguing. We need a book thread.

I've been reading everything that I can about the book, and read that People and SI will have exclusive excerpts, as well as 60 Minutes having the first interview with Andre. That's gotta be happening soon with its release only about six weeks away.

Also, if Dre does a book signing tour please post the info. I'll definitely go if he comes to LA.

Why don't you go ahead and open the thread then, I don't think I'll be able to read the book till I finish my studies, so I'll appreciate reading the posts in that thread.

My happiest memory from the six hours of festivities was watching at the midnight hour as Andre was hugged by wife, tennis champion Steffi Graf, as they danced, kissed and sang along to Lionel Richie’s hits as he closed the night on the amazing all-star stage lineup!

copied from the lasvegassun

Jessyka

09-28-2009, 03:54 PM

Extract from Las Vegas Review Journal:

On Saturday, looking very in-shape, she wore a floor-length, shoulder-bearing, silk evening dress (as a woman described it).

Steffi brings out the "caveman" in him! ;)!!!! The dress is stunning. I had a feeling when I first saw it that Andre had input in choosing it. They've said in the past that Steffi and Andre both like to have input in each others cloths.

Nice to read that they're still hugging and kissing after 10 years -- and next month -- 8 years of marriage!! It's a beautiful thing.

I will start a book thread. I LOVE that Andre is doing a book signing at Costco -- a place where his fans can buy the book for less!! I just love this guy.

Jessyka

09-29-2009, 01:51 PM

Agassi and Graf follow lead of other tennis greats by playing in Casals' Harbor Point event

CAN YOU TOP THIS? Rosie Casals asks herself that question whenever she begins to flip through her Rolodex looking for retired pros to play in her Esurance Tennis Classic fundraiser event entering its fifth year at Strawberry's Harbor Point Tennis and Swim Club.

Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Lindsay Davenport and Martina Hingis have all headlined Casals' tennis weekend with the stars at Harbor Point's picturesque courts by the bay. But it took the tennis power couple of Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi to push the event over the top. The duo's one-day-only appearance this weekend has helped make Sunday a sellout - the first time the annual two-day event has ever had to turn tennis fans away.

"It's not easy, you have to work with everyone's schedule," said Casals, a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame who lives near the Harbor Point courts. "Once we explain that this is all for the charities, it's a lot easier to get these very busy players to come out here."

Agassi and Graf, who combined to win 30 Grand Slam event titles, fell in love with Marin a long time ago. They once filmed a television commercial with their son Jaden and pro player Taylor Dent in the area. They owned a multi-million dollar home in Tiburon until selling it several years ago when their busy post-tennis life made it obvious that they needed to be based in Agassi's hometown of Las Vegas. Their daughter's birthday party is this Saturday, but the couple agreed to fly to Marin on Sunday to play a little tennis and help the cause.

"I am looking forward to seeing the event Rosie has given so much of her life to," said Agassi, who was attracted by the cancer-fighting organizations benefited by the event. Both his mother and sister are cancer survivors. "We are all touched by cancer in one way or another. Events like these are so important to the cause."

Michael Chang also joins the fun this year. Chang, who won the French Open and is a hall-of-fame member, is scheduled to play Saturday and Sunday with his wife Amber Liu - a former pro herself who was a standout player at Stanford. Other retired big names from the pros include Brad Gilbert, Rick Leach, Conchita Martinez, Tracy Austin, Corina Morariu, Luke Jensen and Murphy Jensen.

Gilbert, a San Rafael resident, had a solid pro career before coaching Agassi when he reached No. 1 in the world. The Marin maestro also coached Andy Roddick to a U.S. Open title and worked with Andy Murray.

On Friday, kids from all over the Bay Area get lessons from club pros during the Youth Tennis Advantage junior clinic. "We are excited about that too," Casals said. "It's a new training program that is very successful."

With the same energy she delivered during her dominant days as a doubles partner on the court, Casals brings all these pros together with a smile and wave. It's a magic touch not too many of her peers can match.

"I think that now, after five years, we have established what this event is all about. We have reached our horizon," she said.

Like all the other pros, Agassi and Graf were ready to say yes.

"I've known Rosie since I first came on the (pro tennis) tour," Agassi said. "She's always been such a sweet person - very warm and engaging. I love her spirit. This is something we have wanted to do for a long time."

MILL VALLEY, CA (June 16, 2009) - Grand Slam winners Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf will headline the 2009 Esurance Tennis Classic that features some of the world’s top male and female legends who will compete on October 2-4, 2009. The annual fundraiser which takes place at the Harbor Point Tennis Club ( 475 E. Strawberry Dr. , Mill Valley ) raises funds for To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation, Us Too, Prostate Cancer Education & Support and the Youth Tennis Advantage. The Esurance Tennis Classic is a favorite among tennis fans and features an exciting weekend of fast-paced tennis including celebrity pro-am doubles with the Legends and Hollywood stars; the WorldTeamTennis Shoot-Out; the Blue Shield Youth Tennis Advantage Junior Clinic and much more. Tickets are affordably priced at $25 per day for adults (18 yrs +), or a two-day adult pass for $40. Junior tickets are $10 (ages 6-18), kids under 6 are FREE. Discounted group tickets are available. All tickets may be ordered online at http://www.tennisclassic.org/buytickets.htm or through the ticket office at (415) 383-6114.

“This is our fifth year and it tops them all,” said Rosie Casals, Hall of Famer & Event Co-Producer. “It’s our best line-up ever. With Agassi & Graf coming to play in Sunday’s WorldTennisTeam Shoot-Out, it will be an incredible treat for all tennis fans in the Bay Area, and a great way to benefit some worthy causes.”

The Esurance Tennis Classic kicks-off with the Youth Tennis Advantage Junior Clinic on Friday, October 2, where kids from all over the Bay Area will participate in a tennis clinic given by the Legends. Later that evening, the Welcome Cocktail Reception will take place at Harbor Point Tennis Club. Saturday, October 3, is the Celebrity Pro-Am Doubles with the Legends and Hollywood stars. That evening the Black Tie Dinner, Auction & Awards Gala takes place at the Jewish Community Center in San Rafael . There will be a Silent & Live Auction to raise money for the charities and to cap off the evening festivities there will be “live” entertainment. The WorldTeamTennis Shoot-Out is scheduled for Sunday, October 4. All Legend Pros and the Stanford & Cal Berkeley Women’s Tennis Teams will compete in the Doubles Shoot-Out for the grand prize of the “Classic Cup”. All matches are doubles, no-add scoring with a 9 point Tie-Break at 5-all. The scoring is accumulative games won by each team. The team with the most games at the end of match play wins the trophy.

Steffi Graf is the winner of 22 Grand Slam Singles titles and one of only four women to win the prestigious Grand Slam (Australian, French, Wimbledon & U.S. Open in a calendar year), in the year 1988. Husband, Andre Agassi is a former World No.1, and winner of 8 Grand Slam Singles titles, having won a Grand Slam Singles title on all surfaces. These tennis greats along with French Open Doubles winners Luke and Murphy Jensen, Coach & ESPN TV Analyst Brad Gilbert, Wimbledon Doubles Champion Corina Morariu, and the Cal Berkeley and Stanford Women’s Tennis Teams will all be in action at this year’s Esurance Tennis Classic.

Question: A buzz word in tennis these days is "comeback." You've got Kim Clijsters winning the U.S. Open, and Justine Henin just announced she's returning to the sport. Andre, are you eyeing a comeback?
http://i.azcentral.com/i/sized/F/9/D/e298/j350/PHP4ABD071B28D9F.jpg
Agassi: That would be negative. No, no. I'm sure Kim has inspired a lot of people. But she can't inspire this 39-year-old who understands their weaknesses much better than their strengths.

Question: So this is the second of three years that the Cancer Treatment Centers of America Tennis Championships has been held in Surprise. Jim, where do you see this tournament going in the future?

Courier: Well, certainly the tournament was off to a terrific start. We had wonderful crowds, great tennis. And coming back this year, having Andre join the tournament, obviously for tennis fans, is something extremely special because Andre doesn't play very often. CTCA signed for three years, so there's another return next year.

Question: Andre, have you been to Surprise before?

Agassi: I have not. But I'm looking forward to it. Every time I've been to Arizona, I've loved it. I grew up in the desert. As a result, I've always felt very comfortable there.

Question: Andre, you've played at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess (now Fairmont Scottsdale) hotel when it still hosted tennis tournaments. There's been talk that the Surprise tennis facility could fill the void that the hotel left, in terms of providing professional tennis to Valley fans. Your thoughts?

Agassi: It was a great tournament. It's been a loss certainly for that community to not have that event. So to regain it somewhere (else) and allow sports fans (a chance) to get out and enjoy tennis, I think it's a great thing.

Question: And Jim, any thoughts from you?

Courier: One of the great things about this tournament is that it does provide that opportunity for fans that might miss out otherwise. They don't have to travel too far to see tennis in their own backyard.

Question: Right now, tennis has Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick. What are your thoughts on the current group of top players on the men's side?

Agassi: The first thing you have to do is put it into context of what we've been spoiled with over the last number of decades. . . . The standard is pretty high and the sport is growing. . . . As a result, we're not seeing quite the same level of dominance with the talent that's out there now, with Federer and Nadal. But I think Roddick has represented our sport in a great way. I think he's one of the greatest competitors, not just in tennis but also in sports. . . . It wouldn't be right to not have an American somewhere in the near future step up and really put their stamp on the game. That's what you hope.

Stephan

11-01-2009, 11:35 PM

OK, last play was with Sampras...
does someone know what will be next?
plans Andre any tennis-activity in 2009/2010?
news wanted :)

What does a star athlete do after he retires, with boatloads of money in the bank, before age 40?

Golf every day? Lounge by the pool? Record the requisite album of lousy rap songs with celebrity friends?

Not if you're Andre Agassi.

Agassi, who even before leaving professional tennis in 2006 founded an educational academy for at-risk kids in his native Las Vegas, has now published one of the best autobiographies ever written by an athlete.

"Open" (Alfred A. Knopf; 386 pages; $28.95), unlike so many run-of-the-mill, paint-by-number memoirs churned out by sports figures, is a thoughtful, self-effacing, often funny and always absorbing examination of a young man's struggles with himself and his sport, and his ultimate development into a mature, happy adult.

In the book, written with J.R. Moehringer, author of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize-winning coming-of-age memoir "The Tender Bar," Agassi recounts how tennis was forced upon him at a very young age by his overbearing, rage-filled father. Agassi rebelled as a teenager and more or less lived a lie through much of his 20s and 30s, trapped in a sport he says he always hated (reading the book, one has no reason to doubt him) and married, for a time, to a woman (Brooke Shields) whom he knew from his wedding day was not an ideal partner for him. At his lowest moment, as has been widely reported, Agassi succumbed to an alleged friend's invitation to snort crystal meth. (Despite critics' recent outbursts, as Agassi points out, the drug is anything but a performance enhancer.)

Thanks, in the end, to the tremendous support of Gil Reyes, a trainer who became a mentor and father figure, and also to Steffi Graf, the fellow tennis great who became his wife, Agassi was able to take stock of his life and learn to be at peace with himself. And he began to play some of the best tennis in his career.

As with any great tennis match, Agassi's story has its shocking setbacks, its spectacular comebacks and, finally, a result to cheer.

Agassi, dressed sleekly in dark designer jeans, a black V-neck shirt and black boots, and radiating the good cheer and calm of a Buddhist monk (the shaved head also helps), sat down on a visit to San Francisco last week to chat about his book.

Q: Now that you've been on this busy tour, doing all these readings and interviews, signing all these books, do you long for the tranquil days of the professional tennis tournament circuit?

A: No, not really (laughs). Because the thing that's different, as hard as it is to do both, I feel like this tour, unlike the other, has real, deep relevance. This book will live past me, this book will live for people I've never met.

Q: You read J.R. Moehringer's memoir "The Tender Bar" in 2006 while on the road, playing tennis. How did you hear about it?

A: A friend of mine who's a character in the book, J.P., sent it to me because he knew what I was going through, pressure-wise, and he thought I'd love it, thought it'd be a great escape for me. And it turns out it was. I rationed these pages through the end of my career, and as a result found myself feeling like, what if my story could impact somebody the way his has impacted me? Which was pretty much the impetus for me not only deciding to do a book but specifically reaching out to him.

Q: You began keeping a diary of your thoughts after your son Jaden was born. How much of your memoir grew out of that?

A: I wanted my son to know me during the years when, if something happened to me, he wouldn't know me. But beyond that, I think this book is a love letter to the people in my life, especially my wife and my kids and those who have helped form who I am.

Q: Do you know if Pete Sampras has read your book?

A: I don't know. I haven't heard from him. (Laughs.) I hope he does, I hope he does. I give him a lot of credit and I highlight a lot of our differences. You know, we gibe each other a lot, it's our dynamic. He makes fun of the way I walk; if he's not making fun of that, he's making fun of how many times he's beaten me in big matches. So the same page and a half that I'm talking about his tipping skills (Agassi writes about Sampras once tipping a valet driver $1), I'm also celebrating his dominance.

Q: What about your parents? What has their reaction been to the book?

A: My father told me he's not going to read the book because he knows what he did to make me a champion. Then he said to me as I called him to make sure that he was OK with the sensationalizing of him over the last number of weeks, he said 'If I could do everything over again, I would do the same thing, except I wouldn't let you play tennis - it would be baseball or golf because you can play longer and you can make more money.' So he's 80 years old and not confused about who he is. And my mom, on the other hand, she read it, she said it was hard for her to read it, but she really appreciated understanding me more and at least how I look at things. She's a reader, so she was really proud of it.

Q: And so now it's on to your next book?

A: I'm choosing sleep first. I've been exhausted. This process, since I retired, has been full-on for me. And I just want to take some time to recalibrate my life and think about what I'm going to do.

E-mail John McMurtrie at jmcmurtrie@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page E - 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle

Stephan

12-13-2009, 01:18 AM

Andre in Amasterdam

Auto-Translation from Dutch

The broadcast of the husband of Steffi Graf takes place next Monday, December 14.
The Las Vegas Kid speaks about the pressures of elite life, and his opponents on the highs and lows of his career. Former tennis pro Richard Krajicek also takes part in the conversation.
Fri December 11 2009, 18:00 Andre Agassi in DWDD AMSTERDAM - Andre Agassi moves soon with Matthijs van Nieuwkerk in The World Spins by telling about his autobiography. In the book the former tennis pro confessed recently to drug use.

"It is not common that we receive foreign guests in DWDD" says editor Dieuwke Wynia, "but a world star if we make an exception".

LAS VEGAS, Nevada --
http://www.accesshollywood.com/content/images/106/0x600/106750_andre-agassi-talks-with-access-hollywood-nov-2009.jpg
In a new interview with Andre Agassi airing tomorrow, Access Hollywood’s Tony Potts broke the news to the tennis superstar that former rival Pete Sampras had spoken out about the claims in Agassi’s new autobiography “Open.”

In the book, Agassi alleges that he used crystal meth in 1997 and failed a drug test, then lied about how he “unknowingly” took the drugs.

Sampras, told KTBC-TV/FOX 7 in Austin, Texas, “I didn’t even know what to say. I respect him, he’s a friend of mine. He was my main rival in the ‘90s and would I tell him flat out he made a mistake, absolutely. I’d say, ‘What were you thinking?’ and to lie about it. But when I look at Andre in his mid-twenties to his late-twenties, he was like a different guy.”

When Potts read the comments to Agassi, he replied, “You know, while Pete and I spent a lot of time together, we didn’t really know each other. When there wasn’t a net between us, there was a wall between us.”

Agassi continued, “His caution and his words are appreciated because he’s probably learning this about me now for the first time.”

As a brash young upstart, he stretched the limits of tennis etiquette.
Yet his decade-long rivalry with Pete Sampras and eight Grand Slam
victories would establish him as one of the greatest to ever roam the
baseline. Here, the author of the memoir Open–out this month–muses
on family, Federer, and finding his true calling.
Illustration by Risko December 2009

Agassi and Sampras will compete game 'friendly' in Brazil
Double starred in the greatest rivalry in tennis during the 1990s and traded barbs in recent times
Press Gazette

Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras have led the world rankings

Two Americans who have led the ATP ranking, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras will participate in an exhibition game in Brazil in May. The farewell tour for two was entitled "Farewell Tour" and will also pass by Puerto Rico and Colombia.

After finishing his career, the two players exchanged barbs, especially when Agassi released an autobiography, where he took the drugs and criticized the Sampras (among other things said that his opponent was gifted with spectacular lack of inspiration "), which countered and created some controversy.

Read more about sports in Abril.com
See what has been published about tennis

The opening of the "Farewell Tour" will be on May 22 in Puerto Rico, the stadium José M. Agrelot, for the first time will receive a sporting event, as is usually the stage for concerts. The other two clashes in Brazil and Colombia, have no date or location set.

The two players have met 34 times by the ATP over 13 years. Sampras takes advantage having won 20 duels while Agassi took the best in 14 opportunities.

juliehardwick

01-22-2010, 07:54 PM

Not sure if any of you are following the Agassi twitter feed. (twitter@agassiandre)
At the start there were a few notes from him, but now it's a person in his office posting for sure. Alas. However they are doing a great job of posting and today they posted a link to a short video of SMG and Agassi hitting.

juliehardwick

01-22-2010, 08:06 PM

Oh i could have posted the link there:
http://twitter.com/AgassiAndre

camilia

01-23-2010, 08:15 AM

I just found out that Agassi and Sampras will be playing in Brazil for the farewell tour!

I'm so excited!!!

Are you going?

Stephan

01-24-2010, 10:41 PM

Andre Agassi will begin his farewell tour of 2010 in Puerto Rico
Tennis-P.RICO
Spanish to English

January 21, 2010

San Juan - San Juan, Jan 21 (EFE) .- Former U.S. tennis players Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras made an exhibition match on 22 May at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jose M. Agrelot, where the first will begin his 'Farewell Tour' in 2010, organizers reported today.

Tuti Munoz, executive of MB Sports, told Efe that after the two former athletes playing in Puerto Rico, will continue its tour of Colombia and Brazil.

"They are very excited to come. The approach was ours and loved the idea. I think that Andre will be the first time you come to Puerto Rico since I was 16 years," said Munoz.

The entrepreneur also indicated that it will be the first time this coliseum arrange a tennis match since opening in 2004.

The Coliseum has performed some of the biggest stars, including Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Santana, Maná, Juan Luis Guerra, Ricky Martin, Usher, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Aventura, among others.